“Days of our Lives’” Arianne Zucker may have received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in this year’s Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards race, but she’s not taking all of the credit. “I’m so proud of all of us,” she says of her nomination as well as the show’s 17 other Emmy nods. “We’re an ensemble cast and crew. There’s no “I” in this team. I had Shawn Christian [Daniel Jonas] and Missy [Reeves, Jennifer Horton], almost everybody in my scenes, so I didn’t do it alone. So that’s what’s pretty cool. Everybody helped lift me up.”

Steven Bergman Photography

Read More >>

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Say what you will about “Days of our Lives’” Nancy Wesley, but she is definitely a character fans just love to hate. The same can’t be said of her portrayer, Patrika Darbo, who is loved, loved, loved all around for her humor, candidness and ability to play one of daytime’s baddest bitches!

“It is the best character to play,” raves Darbo of Chloe Lane’s mom, a role she originated back in 1998. “Every day, I thank goodness [for] the fact that I get to play this role that they created for me, and that they have kept her coming back.”

Read More >>

Thomas A. Montalto/Montalto Photos

The peer votes have been cast, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced the Drama Performer Pre-Nominations for the 40^th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards! Five categories have been announced, including Lead Actress and Lead Actor, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor, as well as Younger Actress and Younger Actor. Without further adieu, here are the pre-nominees:

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

• Sharon Case as Sharon on “The Young and the Restless”
• Jeanne Cooper as Katherine on “Y&R”
• Susan Flannery as Stephanie on “The Bold and the Beautiful”
• Finola Hughes as Anna Devane on “General Hospital”
• Peggy McCay as Caroline on “Days of our Lives”
• Kelly Monaco as Sam on “GH”
• Melody Thomas Scott as Nikki on “Y&R”
• Michelle Stafford as Phyllis on “Y&R”
• Kelly Sullivan as Kate on “GH”
• Heather Tom as Katie on “B&B”
• Laura Wright as Carly on “GH”

Read More >>

NBC’s “Days of our Lives” is continuing its nationwide fan event tour this February when cast members of the series gather throughout Universal Orlando Restort in Florida, including a meet and greet with fans at the parks Universal CityWalk. Cast members scheduled to attend are John Aniston, Camila Banus, Shawn Christian, Casey Deidrick, Galen Gering, Kate Mansi, Eric Martsolf, Peggy McCay, James Scott and Arianne Zucker. The event will be held on Saturday, February 23.

Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Read More >>

via Press Release

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P.1st along with ElliptiGO Presents
STAND UP AMERICA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego, CA – L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P.1ST along with ElliptiGO will present STAND UP AMERICA, taking place at the WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park on Saturday, Nov 24th, and featuring celebrity elliptical riders who believe in the message “ Stand Up America.” A number of high profile celebrities have committed to supporting this initiative including Arianne Zucker, who plays Nicole Walker on NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” and Lorenzo Neal, future Hall of Famer and Former SD Charger.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P.1ST is proud to bring STAND UP AMERICA to the WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park for the launch site of the STAND UP AMERICA CAMPAIGN. The purpose of this community rally is to engage and empower community leaders and to promote the importance of “STANDING UP” for communities across America. This campaign will also raise awareness and support for the following non-profit organizations: Elijah’s Heart, LifeCHANGE, National Sports Authority , MACE Operation Home Front , National School Resource Officer Association and other to be named .

This awareness campaign will feature LEADERSHIP.1ST founder, Derrick Boles and celebrity riders “standing up” on a mobile elliptical machine provided by ElipitiGO from San Diego, CA to New Orleans, LA during Super Bowl Week.

Media will have the opportunity to speak to and interview live all celebrities in attendance including Lorenzo Neal, Arianne Zucker and Papa Joe Bradford.

L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P.1ST is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization committed to engaging current and future leaders through community development and educational initiatives.

ABOUT LifeCHANGE:
LifeCHANGE Leadership Programs give young adults the opportunity to challenge themselves and each other to the highest possible degree in order to realize their strength as true leaders and forces for positive change in their world.

The LifeCHANGE team consists of Arianne Zucker, Creator and Co-Founder, Todd Zucker, Creator and Co-Founder, Jason Cook, Director and Executive Producer of LifeCHANGE Productions, and Steve Fenske, Executive Director for the LifeCHANGE Leadership Programs.

ABOUT NATIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY
The National Sports Authority (Authority) is a division of the ESP Education & Leadership Institute, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The primary objective of the National Sports Authority is to level the playing field in sports through advocacy, education and entrepreneurial development. The Authority will implement programs and strategies that will result in the better utilization and management of two important resources that exist in the Black community, historically Black & Universities, and Black athletic talent. www.thensa.org

For more information about this event visit: WWW.STAND-UPAMERICA.COM

Joey Skibel

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’re likely already aware that Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer, “General Hospital“) is joining “Days of our Lives” as a recast Eric Brady. What you didn’t know was his first airdate, or his characters new holy profession. Say what?

On Friday, August 10, via Entertainment Weekly, a representative of “DAYS” confirmed that Vaughan had been hired to portray the twin brother of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), who was last seen in Salem in July 2000 and was the first love interest of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), which was the basis of Sami’s long standing feud with Nicole. The role was previously portrayed by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles.

Read More >>

Photo Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

While Soap Opera Digest in its newest issue lists their last airdate being Wednesday, August 15, both Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux) and Sarah Brown (Madison James) will actually find their characters departing the world of the living much sooner.

On the Monday, August 13 episode, fans saw Madison speak for the last time as she called out for her fiancé, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf). On Tuesday, August 14, Jack departs Salem for the umpteenth time as the elevator cables snap while daughter Abigail (Kate Mansi) and the love of his life Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) look on in horror. Sadly, it looks like Jack is really dead this time! Also according to Digest, Caleb Hunt (Andrew) last airs on Friday, August 17 despite the character escaping unnoticed on the Monday, August 13 episode while Chad (Casey Deidrick) was tending to Gabi (Camila Bannus). Father Matt (Ralph Waite) is also back on the 17th as he shares words with Nicole (Arianne Zucker).

Soap Opera Network has learned Brendan Michael Coughlin will return on Monday, August 20, when his character Tad (aka: T) has a confrontation with Will (Chandler Massey) that eventually leads to a dangerous one with Sonny (Freddie Smith) later that week. On Tuesday, August 21, Brant Daughtery is back as Brian, and Will is none too pleased when he sees him getting intimate with Sonny.

Blake Berris returns as Melanie’s (Molly Burnett) stalker Nick Fallon, who is up for parole, on Monday, August 27. As previously reported, Nick’s mother Jessica Blake Fallon (Jean Bruce Scott) returns to Salem after a 30 year absence on Friday, August 31.

Photo Credit: ABC

Best known for his portrayal of Lucky Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital,” actor Greg Vaughan has joined the cast of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the contract role of Eric Brady. Vaughan tweeted a picture of his first day arriving at the shows Burbank Studio lot on Wednesday, August 8, where he said to his followers, “Here’s to to new beginnings’s!!”

For those new to “Days of our Lives,” or if you have forgotten, Eric Brady is the twin brother of Samantha “Sami” Brady (Alison Sweeney). He was last seen in town in July 2000 and was the first love interest of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), which was the basis of Sami’s long standing feud with Nicole. The role was previously portrayed by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles.

Ironically, despite Vaughan signing on to play Sweeney’s on-screen twin brother, the two actors began filming the Hallmark Channel original movie “Two In” in late June. The film finds Sweeney portraying a single mother working at a 911 call center who answers an emergency call from a firefighter (Vaughan) in desperate need of help after he broke his leg while fighting a fire. As the two find themselves drawn together due to circumstances beyond their control, they begin to wonder where their mutual attraction will take them. The film is set to have its world premiere on the Hallmark Channel sometime in 2013.

Based on the current filming schedule for “Days of our Lives,” fans of the series can expect to see Vaughan on-screen as early as November.

In addition to his stint on “GH,” Vaughan also appeared as Diego Guttierez on “The Young and the Restless” and most recently appeared in ABC’s primetime soap “GCB.”

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As Soap Opera Network first reported earlier today, NBC.com has revealed some of the actors taking part in various aspects of communication with fans of “Days of our Lives” so as to tide them over while NBC airs its coverage of the Olympic Games. The interactions begins Monday, July 30 and last through Friday, August 10 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT.

Monday, July 30 - Lisa Rinna gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of a DAYSaster!

Tuesday, July 31- Arianne Zucker hints at the future of her character AND her baby on board!

Wednesday, August 1 - Shawn Christian shows up to the interview dirtied up in full disaster makeup!

Thursday, August 2 - Kate Mansi talks about the terrifying experience of being trapped in an elevator during the DAYSaster!

Friday, August 3 - Eric Martsolf talks about the shocking deaths that hit Salem!

“Days of our Lives” returns on Monday, August 13 at 1:00 PM ET when viewers find out who survived the DAYSaster that rocked Salem during today’s cliffhanger episode.

Keep checking Soap Opera Network to find out who else will be taking part.

All interactive content can be viewed on NBC.com’s “Days of our Lives” website beginning Monday.

ABC

Who hogged the most airtime in all of 2010? Steve Burton slips out of the number one slot due to competition from a relatively new co-star’s record-breaking year.

As the year 2010 came to a close, so did a years worth of tracking appearances of contract and recurring actors on daytime’s remaining soap operas. “General Hospital‘s” Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) top the list of appearances in 2010 as the male duo from the ABC soap respectively appeared in 234 and 224 out of 249 episodes. Those totals denote a noticeable rise from the amount of episodes 2009′s leaders Burton (208) & “Days of Our Lives” Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker; 207) appeared in. In 2010, airing in 234 episodes, Zamprogna also beat the record formerly held by “All My Children‘s” Alicia Minshew (Kendall Hart Slater) and Lindsay Hartley (as Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald on NBC’s “Passions”) for most appearances in a year; Hartley appeared in 233 episodes in 2006 and Minshew appeared in the same amount of episodes in 2007. Enjoying an eight month long maternity leave in 2010, Minshew missed the list this year. Meanwhile, swapping from NBC to ABC and the time off in-between kept Hartley off the 2010 list, as well. ABC, CBS and NBC produced between 249 and 252 episodes of soap opera hours for each soap (except for the canceled CBS sudser “As the World Turns“) last year.

Read More >>