Sunrain

Strangely, Dee's performances haven’t felt the same since the 90s. I've seen the old scenes of a tearful Marlena telling Don Craig she was falling for Roman and mourning for her husband's death. She was more believable as a grieving widow or actual person who was giving a heartfelt apology for hurting her loved one back then. Maybe Botox or her diva personality changes everything. Hmm, linking John's passing to the state of affairs with national or international politics might not be a good idea after all, the storyline of Jack's mayoral campaign was handled like a comical train wreck without any depth. I think John's passing will probably be treated in similar way to Isabella's cancer.

Greg Rikaart reminds me of Joseph Bottoms in a lot ways, both were trying so hard to be the comic relief, both over-the-top performances often made their roles Leo and Kirk and 2nd Cal Winters into a caricature of extremely cartoonish and forgettable characters with absolutely no depth and people probably felt like catching a stomach flu watching these two "performing" on screen.

GF was heavily promoted after they signed her on Days. Diana was on the front burner immediately after being introduced to Salem. Originally, she was brought in as an old friend and love interest of Mike’s. When that didn’t work, the writers switched gears and put her with John and that pairing had gained momentum among viewers. Genie and Drake became the center of discussions among cast members and audiences as indicated by soap articles and news. Both of them co-hosted 88’s SOD Awards Show together. But somehow Diana was never clearly defined as a person despite the show’s writing was still at its peak. Puzzling… Interestingly, they did a tv interview with her and Drake many years ago. When asked about Greece story, her response was something like "good for promoting tourism". I wonder if Genie’s unpleasant Greece experience was an isolated event among Days’ location filming or an example of serious mismanagement on TPTBs’ part. Because I later read that Drake, Staci, Crystal, Peter, Deidre, Wayne all had great time in Mexico when they did Tales of Two Roman and Carly/Bo’s wedding.

I remember the show did a lot of location filming for storylines as well as weddings back then. Bo and Hope went to New Orleans, and England with Kimberly and Shane to track down Emma (Shane's Ex-Wife). Shane and Kim also travelled to England several times and CS go to play Drew (Shane's twin brother). Steve, Kayla, Bo and Hope went to Sweden together to search for Britta and Lars. Genie, Drake, Wally, and Judi did the Greece tour with John Aniston. The Cruise of Deception story took place on an actual cruise ship with Isabella, John, Jennifer, Jack, Victor, Bo, Hope on board... P.S. I think they also did location shooting for John/Gina's submarine sex.

*This* Deidre could do it. She could have aged gracefully without Botox just like Leann Hunley, JE, MBE and MR.

Does "No return of Sami unless for John" club still accepts registration of memberships? Honestly, AS always thought of Drake as her onscreen dad like CC did, she would return for John's exit without being asked. I still wish JC’s “fake Diana” was a nightmare that never happened, the real Diana passed offscreen and she finally told Leo that John was his father at her bedside. Then he came to Salem looking for John. And if possible, they could try to approach Genie about using old scenes of Diana and filming flashbacks of raising Leo without coming to set. The storyline could have made more sense and give a belated explanation for Diana’s sudden departure as well.

Happy New Year, Everyone! I dig up some real treasure from an archived Drake's fansite, two interviews he had with Genie and Staci. Below are the interview transcripts with remarks from some members who recorded them (the uploaded clips must have been either removed from vtube or expired later, You can find more on https://web.archive.org/web/20061017042145/http://community-1.webtv.net/@HH!01!85!89556E3805E2/Hogey3/DrakeHogestyns/ ) Enjoy! Interview with Drake Hogestyn and Genie Francis: Almost A Cardinal, But Instead A Roman Most of America remembers Genie Francis as Laura, from General Hospital, back in the Luke and Laura days. Her new flame is Drake Hogestyn, an actor who almost made it as a Major League baseball player, after he graduated from high school back in '71. (We see Drake and Genie Francis being interviewed) Drake Hogestyn: Two years later, I was drafted number two round, second round in the nation by the Cardinals, was going to play. Same year Hernandez was number one pick, I was number two pick. Reporter: So you could've been our second baseman here in St. Louis? Drake Hogestyn: Well, I was drafted as a centerfielder by them, by the Yankees as a third baseman. Reporter: Do you ever look out there on the field at Yankee Stadium and say 'Hey, this TV thing is going great, but I should've stayed in baseball?' Drake Hogestyn: I would LOVE to, I'd just love to go out there and knock some balls out of that stadium, but it's just a big dream when I was a kid. Reporter: Now instead of diving to stop a shot down the third base line, he and his co-star Genie Francis work on other slick moves, like dodging anxious fans trying to find out what is going to happen NEXT on Days of our Lives. A practice Francis doesn't feel will ever stop. Genie Francis: I hope not, that's good because it shows that they're interested. Reporter: But you never tell anybody anything. Genie Francis: Oh, but we can't give away storyline; we can give little hints maybe. Reporter: Hogestyn, meanwhile, says he occasionally makes UP storyline and passes it along to fans. Drake Hogestyn: I think it is really strange when I make up a lie, and all of a sudden it happens. (Both Drake and Genie are laughing) Reporter: Something that is even weirder than any daytime writer could ever manufacture is the fan mail that the soap stars actually receive. Genie Francis: I think probably the strangest one was a proposal for marriage, which had a gold band with diamonds included in an envelope, and I opened this envelope and it just fell out. Reporter: And of course you took that ring to the pawn shop and got some serious cash for it? LMAO, Drake and Genie both thought that comment was really funny! Genie Francis: (Laughing) It went right back. One Stormy Night WYFF Interviews via Satellite with Drake Hogestyn & Staci Greason This time, the annual Soap Opera Digest Awards, will be broadcast in primetime, this Friday on NBC and WYFF. Prior to the ceremony, NBC will present a one-hour feature, based on the network's top-rated daytime drama, Days of our Lives. Joining us this noon from California, are two stars from the show, Drake HOGestyn and he played Roman Brady; he used to play that. Now he's playing John Blake, Black, rather. ROTF, Drake and Staci Greason (Isabella), are sitting together and laughing at how this reporter pronounced Drake's last name incorrectly. She also pronounced John's last name incorrectly. Drake's name plate also says "Roman Brady," when he has been playing John Black for MONTHS, OY! Okay, here is a quick lesson on how to say Drake's last name, CORRECTLY, LOL. Drake is NOT a pig; he isn't a HOG either. So, it isn't HOGestyn. The "O" is pronounced as it sounds, like "Ohhh." The "tyn" is pronounced like TIN. So say it as it sounds...Drake HOgesTIN. Drake Hogestyn: HAHAHA!! Okay now, Liz, wait a minute. Greenville is my favorite town and my fans there are going to be so mad if you don't say Drake Hogestyn. Reporter: I'm sorry, I was told incorrectly, I apologize. Drake Hogestyn: Okay, and my... LOL, Staci smiled at Drake and goes "YEAH" to the reporter. Drake smiles at her and took her hand, so that they were holding hands, awwwww, S-W-E-E-T, swoooon! Reporter: Also, joining you if I may, listen to this...is Isabella Toscano, she is actor Staci Greason, who she plays on the show. Correct? HAHAHA! Ahhhh nope, that should be also joining you is Staci Greason, she plays Isabella Toscano on the show. Drake and Staci kinda gave up and started to AGREE with the reporter, LOL!! Drake Hogestyn: Yeah! Staci Greason: Correct. Reporter: Let's just talk about the special, ok? Will this be a continuation of daily happenings on the show? Staci Greason: It's a little bit of both, I mean it's a self-contained show, so if you don't normally watch the show...if you're a viewer from a different network, you'll still be able to follow the show. You'll be introduced to all of the characters. It's a special night in Salem, it's stormy and rainy and um...but if you do watch the show, it will be a real special treat. Reporter: Now, is this something that the industry is going to be doing from now on, do you know? Like having these special primetime... Drake Hogestyn: Um, no, no. This is strictly a one time shot. Ah, this was brought about because the Soap Opera Digest Awards are going to be televised by NBC, for the first time, primetime. So NBC thought, 'Hey, wait a minute, if we've got the primetime show, why don't we take daytime's number one soap opera on NBC and put them preceding the Soap Opera Digest awards.' And it's a great treat for Days of our Lives' viewers, but also for CBS and ABC soap fans. It'll give them a little introduction as to what we do here on Days of our Lives. Like Staci was saying, it is self-contained; there's a beginning, middle and an end. So even if you've never watched the show, you won't be confused in the least. Ah, you'll be entertained and you'll be hooked at the end because of a primitive cliffhanger involving MY woman! LOL, when Drake said "my woman," he lifted up Staci's hand that he had been holding and Staci laughed. Reporter: So this is to try get viewers, I take it? Both Drake and Staci agree with her. Drake Hogestyn: It's one way, absolutely. Reporter: Now how...let's talk about the awards for a minute. How do the Digest awards differ from the Daytime Emmys? Staci Greason: The Daytime Emmys are set up by an Emmy committee that nominate and vote. The actors do nominate each other, as well. Ah, the Soap Opera Digest awards are set up by the editors of the magazine, right? Drake Hogestyn: Yeah, the Digest awards when they first started were strictly voted on by the people and the magazine would come out, and you would vote for your favorite actor. Well for the first year running, DAYS was nominated for EVERY category and WON every category. So the other people started saying, 'well why even come out for it, it's like DAYS' show.' So the editors took it upon themselves to nominate people for categories and now the viewers will vote for the categories that the editors nominated. So they've spread it out more or less. So this year we are nominated in three categories. Best Show, which we're hoping to win for the seventh year running and Best Actor, Charlie Shaughnessy and Best Comedian, Robert Mailhouse. Reporter: Now Drake, just a personal note about you. I understand that you started out to become a dentist; how did you wind up becoming a soap star? LOL, both Drake and Staci are laughing. Drake Hogestyn: Well, I went to school...pre-dental was my major in college, baseball paid for it. The day I took my dental board exams, I was also drafted by the New York Yankees; so I put dentistry on hold and signed for three years and out of the blue, I was offered a contract by Columbia Pictures because they thought that I ACTED more like a ballplayer than PLAYED like one. So careers change, you just have to be flexible. Reporter: Drake and Staci, thank you for joining us this noon. Of course, the Digest awards will be coming up this Friday, and they will follow the special prime-time Days of our Lives episode. P.S. It is interesting to note that Drake said John/Isabella finished prematurely in an interview with Deidre, he thought there were still much more they could have done.

Oh please, as if Marlena wasn't jealous of Isabella. John had clearly moved on and found happiness again with Diana and then Isabella after her death. There was nothing wrong with that, however I understand a zealot like yourself would have never accepted it. And Isabella had every right to question Marlena's motives regarding John. Just because someone spoke the truth, didn’t make her pathetic. Marlena wanted both Roman and John without giving a damn about anyone and anything else. She even admitted herself at that time. So who was the pathetic and selfish one here? P.S. Let's not forget the affair had opened a Pandora's box, led to destruction of character integrity and all other repercussions. Things were never the same afterward.

What made Lawrence unique and perfect as a villain was that he was neither the obsessive type like Cal Winters nor the sleazy type like Johnny Corelli. He was a great villain of complex nature. Ruthless, confident, fearsome, commanding, charming, mysterious, classy, and even caring all wrapped up in his personality. One'd be simultaneously afraid and mesmerized in his proximity. He was on par with Stefano in the villain league. Fun trivias about Michael Sabatino. He was a pole vaulter in real life. While attending University of Califnornia at Irvine, MS set a school record. He then earned All-American honors and place 13th in 1976 Olympic Trials.

What a wonderful discovery of a hidden gem! Long ago, Stars from Days and other daytime soaps had come together for a charitable project, a compilation of songs to raise awareness on child abuse and neglect. The first song Eyes of A Child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YObu24xbfAA The rest of the tracklist could be found and listened here https://www.discogs.com/release/10227053-Various-With-Love-From-The-Soaps Enjoy :)

Not necessarily. Steve grew up with an extremely abusive father and submissive mother. Jack was raised by the power-hungry and misogynistic Harper Devereux and the disdainful socialite Angelica. Both were able to change for better despite their family background and things they had done in the past. By no means couldn’t Xander have undergone similar path.

Ben/Caira. How could someone compare Mr. SuperKiller and Ms. Needy Princess to Bo/Hope? It was a travesty. Bill/Janice/Mike. The long strained father-son relationship was caused by Bill's adulterous affair with Mickey's ex-wife (Mike's real mother). The return of the younger Janice Barnes made things even worse between Mike and Bill when the writers had both men compete for her heart. Dr. Dan "Salem's Most Eligible and Ultimately Irresistible Bachelor"/Chelsea. Not only was Daniel her doctor but Rachel Melvin looked like a teenager next to Shawn Christian. To make matters worse, RM gushed endlessly about how hot SC was and how much she loved making out with him in her blog. She was said to be very upset when they ended the pairing. And their cringeworthy attempts of making him the Salem's most eligible bachelor afterwards made him look like a creeper who preyed on women more than everything else . P.S. I was actually suprised when I heard SC was well-liked as Mike in As the World Turns.

Dee's reaction to Jed Allan's passing was in stark contrast with her response to Drake's. I don't want to take a wild guess here but agreed with you she could have been at least more personal in her statement about Drake's passing like many others did. Otherwise it may give the impression she wouldn't care much unless the said colleague passed away was her closest friend.

I'd rather that they won't bring back Don Craig with a recast out of respect for Jed Allan's memory. They had plenty of times to approach him, seek reconciliation and resolve this matter when he was available, so why now? Those favorites you mentioned have ties to Salem and aren't forgotten unlike Don.

TBH, the businesslike tone of Dee's statement didn't shock me that much. Genie Francis's tribute to Drake's passing was also distant though they shared a close bond back then. GF had suffered long-time RL depression since GH and DH made her felt comfortable to finally open up about it. He had accompanied her to counselling sessions and she got to know his wife and children. The nature of their friendship was completely omitted from Genie's tribute to Drake. In Genie’s case, the detached tones possibly reflected her desire to bury the unpleasant past (not directed towards Drake personally). In Deidre’s case, maybe Drake and her weren’t that close after all or she was more of a private person when it comes to grieving. You didn’t take into account that Dee began her Days debut 7 years earlier than Kristan (1976 and 83). By 1984-85, Roman and Don Craig left the show and Jarlena was her only pairing afterwards. So they aren’t that different in this regard. Both Marlena and Hope were stronger and more independent in the 80s if you watched the show.