Behind-The-Scenes of DOOL
When a series survives on the airwaves for over five decades, it has more than exciting storylines. Here are 30+ juicy BTS stories known to only a few fans.
Decades-Long Soap Opera
Days premiered on November 8, 1965, and snatched viewers with the dramatic lives of the Horton and Brady families in Salem. Over 50 years later, fans still tune in for the twists and turns of beloved characters like Marlena and John. Do you know all their secrets?
John & Marlena montage...everytime by Marlena Hope
A Married Couple Created This Soap Opera
DOOL was created by Ted and Betty Corday, a husband-and-wife team who worked together to bring the show to life. In its early years, famous writer Irna Phillips helped shape the stories. In addition to Days, Betty also consulted for The Young and the Restless.
Days In 42 Words
This American soap opera is set in the fictional city of Salem, Illinois. The story mainly revolves around the Bradys and the Hortons, including other families like the DiMeras and Kiriakis. DOOL has entertained viewers since 1965 and now streams on Peacock.
Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Title Has A Deep Meaning With A Strong Voiceover
Since its debut in November 1965, Days has had a famous title sequence. It shows an hourglass with sand trickling down, set against a partly cloudy sky. The voiceover says, "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives," reminding viewers of life's passing moments.
1972 - 1993 Days of Our Lives open by hmmmmmmmmm2
An Orchestra Performed The Iconic Theme Music
After the Cordays approved the final version inspired by the song "Sunrise, Sunset," DOOL became the first soap opera theme performed by an orchestral ensemble. After Charles Albertine, Tommy Boyce, and Bobby Hart created the iconic theme music, Albertine added a flute-and-bells melody.
Hurt So Bad - Bobby Hart from The First Bobby Hart Solo Album by raremonkees
The Original Producers Work Until Their Death
When co-creator Ted Corday left us in 1966 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after battling cancer, his wife, Betty, took over. She oversaw production and kept the show running. She also passed away at the same hospital in 1987 after producing the show for over two decades.
The Couple Failed Individually Before Starting DOOL
His first two soap operas for NBC, Paradise Bay and Morning Star, tanked. On the other hand, Betty was a Broadway stage actress who starred in "one flop after another." Their marriage was the secret sauce, and Ted's third serial was a success.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
It Was Only 30 Minutes Long At First
Days became so popular that on April 21, 1975, they had to increase each episode's length from 30 to 60 minutes. By December 17, 2020, they celebrated their 14,000th episode. And as of March 2023, the show is still going strong and has been renewed until September 2025!
Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem | Official Trailer | Peacock by Peacock
An Actor Acted For Almost Five Decades
Frances Reid played Alice Horton, the matriarch of the Horton family, on Days from 1965 until 2007. She acted on TV for about 50 years. At her death in 2010, she was the fifth longest-serving soap opera actor in US history.
Marcus Blechman, Wikimedia Commons
50 Years After, Another Is Still Active
Suzanne Rogers, born in 1943, has starred in DOOL since August 1973, making her one of the longest-serving current actresses on an American soap opera. In 2023, she celebrated her 50th anniversary on the show. Unsurprisingly, there are more facts about Rogers than just this incredible milestone.
Greg Hernandez, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
She Had A Chronic Illness
In 1984, Suzanne Rogers was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare muscle disorder that affected her facial muscles and caused hair loss. She left Days temporarily as her symptoms worsened and asked executive producer Betty Corday to have her character be diagnosed with the disease.
Suzanne Rogers Celebrates 40 years at 'Days of Our Lives' by Deanna Barnert
Her Condition Influenced The Movie Storyline
The head writer introduced Rogers' diagnosis into the storyline and helped viewers learn about the disease. Rogers' character, Maggie, was "killed off" in 2003 during a dramatic serial killer plot. Much later, a supernatural storyline revived her to boost the show's ratings and keep fans on edge.
Suzanne Rogers 'Days of our Lives' Interview! by ST Media
An Actress Played Five Characters
From 1993 to 1998, Eileen Davidson played multiple characters on Days, including the villain Kristen DiMera, who pretends to still be pregnant after losing her baby. She also portrayed four members of the Banks family, including one male. Deservingly, she bagged her first Emmy nomination in 1997.
MnSPaul, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Show's First "Super Couple" Took Their Love Offscreen
Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes, best known as Doug and Julie Williams on Days, were daytime TV's first "super couple." They fell in love on set, took their on-screen romance to real life, and married in 1974. But that's not all about Susan Hayes.
Actors Bill and Susan Hayes by LAaRT PBSsoCal
She Has Also Starred For Decades
Susan Hayes' best-known role was playing Julie Williams on DOOL. She first appeared in 1968. Today, Hayes is the only actor to have appeared in the show's seven decades. As the second longest-serving actor, she still regularly portrays Julie on the iconic NBC drama.
AmyJeanWiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
She Got Several Nominations For Her Role On DOOL
The Days star earned six Daytime Emmy nominations for her role in the series—four for Outstanding Lead Actress in the '70s and two for Supporting Actress in 2018 and 2020. She and her husband, Bill Hayes, also received Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2018, recognizing their remarkable careers.
It Told Stories That Other Soaps Couldn't
DOOL earned the title of the "most daring drama" in the 1970s by tackling issues other soaps wouldn't touch. It centered around a family of doctors, with one working in a mental hospital, blending medical drama with deep character stories about love, marriage, illness, and psychological struggles.
Critics Went After Its Unusual Storylines
As the show evolved, writers added supernatural storylines like the "Salem Stalker" and "Melaswen" plots, where masked killers terrorized the town. Critics went wild, but Days continued to push boundaries. It introduced its first gay character in 2011 and highlighted real-world issues like trauma therapy for veterans.
Krakenimages.com, Shutterstock
It's Reboot Saved It From Cancelation
When ratings kept falling, producers fired Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas Junior despite being newly hired head writers. Producers rebooted the show in 2011 to fix the dwindling hype, win back old fans, and attract new ones. The show brought back favorite characters and introduced new stories.
Vitalii Vodolazskyi, Shutterstock
DOOL Has A Thing For Firing Writers
Days wasn't patient with head writers after William J. Bell's lengthy tenure from 1966 to 1975. About 22 have worked on the series, including five-time Emmy winner Hogan Sheffer, who only lasted 16 months. Even Margaret DePriest's exciting serial killer plot didn't keep her on the show.
Daniel Schweinert, Shutterstock
The Stories Frustrate The Actors Sometimes
DOOL is known for its wild storylines, but sometimes they go too far. In 2006, Melissa Reeves, who played Jennifer Horton since 1985, left the show. She was frustrated with the writers constantly killing and reviving her husband, Jack (Matthew Ashford), who claimed it was becoming "too unreal."
Hope Williams Brady Is An Olympic Medallist
American actress Kristian Alfonso is best known for her role as Hope Williams Brady on Days. Before Days, the figure skater won a Junior Olympics gold medal at 13. Fans love her character, especially for her romantic storyline with Bo Brady.
Mary Beth Evans Had A Body Double During Pregnancy
One of DOOL's most prominent attractions was Mary Beth Evans and her steamy love scenes. But she wasn't involved in her first appearances with Stephen Nichols. Producers had to use a body double because she was six months pregnant at the time since her character was not.
Bryan Dattilo Needed To Change His Look
When Bryan Dattilo joined Days in 1993 as Lucas Horton, he had to adjust his appearance for the role. Producers required him to get braces to fix his teeth and wear lifts to look taller on screen. Although it worked, the lifts gave him painful bunions!
His Audition Session With Christie Clark Was Intense
During his DOOL audition, Bryan Dattilo had to kiss his partner, Christie Clark, to show their chemistry. When she introduced tongues, he matched her energy, and producers had to interrupt. Dattilo's act worked, and he got the Lucas Horton role. That's not all, though.
His Sticky Fingers Once Took A Bra From Set
In several interviews, Dattilo admitted to taking props from the set as mementos. He always hints at the humorous side of life behind the cameras. He also mentioned lifting stuff like mail openers and canisters, even Sami Brady's bra, which he hung in his garage.
Bryan Dattilo, Days Of Our Lives, Playboy Golf, RealTVfilms by RealTVfilms
Drake Hogestyn Was A Baseball Player
After his excellent performance at a talent search, Hogestyn got on the Days train in 1986. But before acting, he was a New York Yankees baseball player drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. Sadly, Hogestyn quit sports for acting after a career-ending knee injury in 1977.
He Has Played Seven Different Roles
Because of his extraordinary talent, the former Minor League star played more characters than usual. Since joining Days in 1986, his role has constantly changed. He's been The Pawn, Roman Brady, John Stevens, Forrest Alamain, Father John, Ryan Brady DiMera, and John Black.
'Days Of Our Lives' Star Drake Hogestyn Dead At 70 by Access Hollywood
They Had The First Real-Life Twins In Soap Opera History
Deidre Hall first appeared on Days in 1976 as the famous Marlena Evans. A year later, her real-life sister, Andrea, joined the show as Samantha Evans, Marlena's jealous twin. Many longtime fans cherish the storyline in which Samantha pretended to be Marlena for a while.
Albert Domasin, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Alison Sweeney Was A Cast Member Before She Was Sami
Before Alison Sweeney became famous as Sami Brady on DOOL, she appeared in flashbacks as Adrienne Johnson. Her official debut as Sami was in 1993 at 16. However, Sweeney quickly became a fan favorite because of the dramatic storylines around her character.
Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Days Made A Man Play A Woman
When Alison Sweeney went on maternity leave, Days were short-staffed, and they made a bold choice. They cast Dan Wells as "Stan," a male alter ego of Sami, created to get revenge on another character. Wells had to play "Stan" for six months until Alison returned as Sami.
Alison Sweeney talks Sami-History! by Days of our Lives
Unique Filming Techniques
During DOOL scenes involving phone conversations, the production team would play the audio of the other character's lines during filming. This technique allowed actors to react naturally without needing split-screen shots. Although the acting and interactions got more realistic, it wasn't all rosy for the actors.
The Work Is Grueling
Most prime-time shows produce 12-24 episodes per season, but DOOL creates five hours of TV weekly. The cast and crew work intensely, and actors must memorize their lines within hours for next-day filming. Scenes are shot quickly, without cue cards for guidance.
DOOL Fired Actors To Lower Production Cost
Days faced lower ratings in 2012, so the production team had to make tough decisions. Several longtime actors, including Matthew Ashford, Christie Clark, Patrick Muldoon, and Sarah Brown, were let go to save money. Some of these stars had been on the show for over ten years.
Days Had Budget Cuts That Impacted Production
Declining ratings caused Days to make difficult decisions, including slashing budgets and reducing production costs. For instance, wardrobe managers re-accessorized outfits to make them appear new in different scenes. Without new purchases, costs fell from around $300,000 to approximately $150,000.
No Success In Europe
DOOL struggled to gain an audience in the UK despite airing thrice: from 1994 to 1999, again in 2000, and from 2007 to 2010. Unfortunately, the Horton family's drama didn't resonate with British viewers. And the show was pulled each time due to low ratings.
Nicoleta Ionescu, Shutterstock
DOOL Rocked With Scandals At Some Point
On July 25, 2023, a report came out about co-executive producer Albert Alarr being investigated for misconduct. By August 4, 2023, Drucker had replaced him after an internal investigation. The report mentioned many women who had left the show and male actors bullied on set.
The Situation Started To Get Messy
After the misconduct report, many cast members spoke out, including Lisa Rinna, who called the work environment "disgusting." Alarr received a written warning but kept his job for a while. However, this wasn't the end of the situation, as more changes eventually followed.
The Heart Truth, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Good Riddance To Bad Rubbish
Over 25 cast members signed a petition for Alarr's removal due to on-set misconduct. On August 4, Alarr was let go, and the cast wanted a respected director-producer as a replacement. Despite these scandals, Days of Our Lives still thrived in daytime television.
45 Years Of Airing In HD
DOOL celebrated its 45th anniversary of starting to air in high definition on November 8, 2010. This milestone solidifies its status as America's fourth longest-running soap opera. Likewise, Days has become one of NBC's most profitable shows, especially popular with young and middle-aged women.
Days Was So Good It Has Been Parodied Several Times
DOOL has been parodied on Friends and the sketch comedy series SCTV as The Days of the Week. Some cast members, such as Kristian Alfonso, Roark Critchlow, Matthew Ashford, Kyle Lowder, and Alison Sweeney, were involved. These individuals made memorable appearances on Friends to bridge the two worlds.
It Has Two Emmys
As expected, Days has earned praise and many awards. It received Best Drama awards at the Daytime Emmys in 1978 and 2013. Later, in 2000 and 2013, it won the Writers Guild of America East Award. These honors prove how much the fans love and respect the show.
Kffnk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
It's Cast Have Also Bagged Awards From The Show
Days actors have won many awards. Macdonald Carey won Best Actor in 1974 and 1975. Susan Flannery and Eileen Davidson won Best Actress in 1975 and 2014. Other winners include Suzanne Rogers, Leann Hunley, and Tamara Braun, with Darin Brooks winning Emmy's Best Younger Actor in 2009.
By NBC Television,Wikimedia Commons
Days Has A Huge Followership With High-Profile Fans
In 1976, the Times wrote that Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall would pause court around 1 p.m. to watch the show. Also, actress Julia Roberts admitted requesting to sit near the cast at an awards show. Monica Lewinsky (from the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal) even wrote a Days poem in high school!
U.S. Department of State, Wikimedia Commons
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