With multiple allegations brought against Albert Alarr during an internal misconduct investigation that took place over a nine-week period, the result of which initially called for him to receive just a “written warning” and asked to “undergo training,” the now former co-executive producer and director of “Days of our Lives” is speaking out now that he has been let go from the daytime drama series. Effective immediately, longtime producer Janet Drucker replaces Alarr as co-executive producer.
In a statement issued to TheWrap, Alarr believes that the basis of the investigation into his behavior behind the scenes of the series was the doing of two individuals, who “at a time of industry-wide cutbacks and economic uncertainty, have been relentlessly angling for greater pay and increased influence on the show.” Further, he indicates that race might have played a role in his ouster, saying, “their best strategy to get it was to play on vile stereotypes in order to bring down a Black man in a position of power.”
Calling the decision to let him go “heartbreaking,” Alarr further states, “These allegations were already examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months. Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that I should continue in my role as co-executive producer. Now, with no new facts presented, the studios have reversed course and caved to a cynical pressure campaign to force me out of my job.”
Wanting to set the record straight, Alarr says, “Every day, I worked with hundreds of people, the overwhelming majority of whom would disagree with recent mischaracterizations of me. I have been in this industry for decades, and not a single complaint has ever been made against me until now.”
Alarr also says that claims published by the media are “simply false.” He adds, “Others have been taken so out of context or are so twisted that they are unrecognizable from the truth.”
According to Deadline, the nine-week investigation was launched in March and was “triggered by a complaint related to a recent round of layoffs.”
Filed by a female employee, the complaint alleged that a number of recent staff cuts had “disproportionally impacted women” who were not receiving equal pay on the show compared to their male counterparts, people close to the matter told the outlet.
Seven contract actresses were said to have departed the series around the time of the layoffs, five of whom were either let go altogether or dropped to recurring status. The remaining two actresses reportedly made the decision to leave the series on their own. Separately, one male actor was laid off.
Since details of the investigation first became public last month, more than 25 cast members signed a petition demanding Alarr’s dismissal as co-EP and director. On Friday, July 28, it was reported that when cast/crew learned that Alarr’s name was on the production sheet for directing the planned August 4 episode, the news allegedly didn’t go over well, forcing the show to extend its planned two-week hiatus to a third week. The show execs to resume production on Monday, August 7, which until now likely would have included Alarr’s continued presence on set had he not departed. “Production will resume, as planned, on Monday with new leadership in place,” said Ken Corday, the show’s owner and executive producer, in an email sent to cast and crew on Friday. “As a reminder, we still have a pre-planned hiatus set for the week of August 14th,” Corday’s email stated in conclusion.
New protocols are said to now be in place to promote a “safe and inclusive workplace environment,” including implementing an HR presence on set.
You can read Alarr’s full statement on his exit from the show below.
“It is hard to overstate how heartbreaking I find this situation.
These allegations were already examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months. Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that I should continue in my role as co-executive producer. Now, with no new facts presented, the studios have reversed course and caved to a cynical pressure campaign to force me out of my job.
It’s important to set the record straight. Every day, I worked with hundreds of people, the overwhelming majority of whom would disagree with recent mischaracterizations of me. I have been in this industry for decades, and not a single complaint has ever been made against me until now.
Many of the claims recently referenced in the media are simply false. Others have been taken so out of context or are so twisted that they are unrecognizable from the truth.
To be clear, this whole situation stems from the animus of just two individuals. Those individuals, at a time of industry-wide cutbacks and economic uncertainty, have been relentlessly angling for greater pay and increased influence on the show, and, it appears, believed that their best strategy to get it was to play on vile stereotypes in order to bring down a Black man in a position of power.
I will always be proud of being the only Black director/producer in daytime soap operas. And, while I am devastated by the manner of my departure, I will always treasure my years at ‘Days of Our Lives’ and wish the wildly talented cast and crew the very best for the future.”
