Days of Our Lives Viewers Revolt Over a Perceived Diss of a Fan Favorite — and Non-Biodads
Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
“What a slap in the face!”
One thing everyone knows about Days of Our Lives fans is that they are as passionate as they are vocal. Whether they’re disagreeing about whether Lucas or EJ is the right guy for Sami or uniting to beg that the show reunite Xander and Sarah, they are not shy about expressing their thoughts.
They’re also not afraid to call someone out, which is exactly what they did when a tweet I sent out following the July 19th episode of the soap rubbed them the wrong way.
More: Remembering Marlena’s long-forgotten hubby
It started out innocently enough. A heartbroken Eric, having just found out that wife Nicole had cheated with Xander, received a visit from his parents, Marlena and Roman. In response, while not-so-live-tweeting the show, I sent out the following message.
I like that it’s Marlena and Roman, not John, who went to Eric. His parents, as it should be. #Days
— SheKnows’ Soaps (@soapsdotcom) July 20, 2021
Now, what I meant was that many soaps would have ignored the history (Roman and Marlena are Eric’s parents) and instead had John by her side when she went to visit her son. That was not, however, how it was interpreted… and fans of both the show and John were quick to point out how boneheaded my sentiment (or at least the phrasing of it) was.
Just like in real life, family matters can get complicated on soaps!
Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
As @daysfan rightly pointed out, “John isn’t a man who simply married [Sami and Eric’s] mother when they were grown.”
I don’t mind that Roman and Marlena went to be with Eric at all. But, you seem to be forgetting that John raised him. They’ve addressed that Sami and Eric have 3 parents because of that. John isn’t a man who simply married their mother when they were grown.
— Daysfan (@Joeiscool1981) July 20, 2021
And of course, that could not be truer. John has been as much a parent to the twins as has Roman (whether Sami likes that or not), if not moreso.
More: The most shocking Days recast ever
Others quickly jumped to the defense of not only John but blended families as a whole. As @lysie said of my badly-worded missive, “What a slap in the face to the people who raise children who aren’t biologically related to them.”
Seriously. I even agree that I like that those two went, but then he goes and words it that way. What a slap in the face to the people who raise children who aren’t biologically related to them.
— lysie (@lysie1984) July 20, 2021
Cheryl pointed out that there were times when both Roman and Marlena were off the canvas and John was raising their kids on his own, adding, “Biology isn’t everything.”
It was nice they both went but John is just as much Eric’s father as Roman is. He had a hand is raising him while they were both gone. Biology isn’t everything.
— Cheryl⏳ (@jarlenabrat) July 20, 2021
Some, like Bethany, even took the opportunity to turn my gaffe into a teachable moment by sharing their own experiences. (Thanks for that!)
I was raised by my step dad (John raised Eric alone for quite a few years and has been married to Eric’s mom for the majority of his life) and feel closer to him then my bio dad… so Eric wanting to confine in John wouldn’t be that unusual. Eric has 3 parents in my books.
— Bethany 💋 (@HanyBeth) July 20, 2021
The morals of the story (and yes, there are several): Respect history, understand that relationships (on soaps and in real life) are complicated, acknowledge when you screw up and know that on Twitter, things can unintentionally go south incredibly quickly!
More: Days legend’s daring soap switch
Now, as all of Eric’s loved ones prepare for him to exit the canvas yet again, why not take this moment to reflect on all of the actors who’ve left the show in recent months via the below gallery?
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
1/44
<p>That’s right, buddy: Gabi is outta there. Her portrayer told <em>The Wrap</em> that when the soap moved to Peacock, “I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life.”</p>
Image: Peacock screenshot
2/44
<p>We were just as shocked to learn that <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/664569/days-of-our-lives-linsey-godfrey-exit-out-sarah-left-for-chicago/" target="_blank">Linsey Godfrey was truly exiting</a> as Sarah was to learn she was expecting Xander’s baby. But pregnancy or not, she still left for Chicago without a word to her soon-to-be-babydaddy! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
3/44
<p>Here, the actors wear pretty much the same expression that we did upon learning that Jack and Jennifer’s loss of <em>The Spectator</em> meant that we’d be losing them. D’oh!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/44
<p>Here, Chanel wears the same expression that we did when <a href="http://soapoperadigest.com" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> reported that Allie’s portrayer had finished taping as of February 2023. Needless to say, Chanel wears it better than we did.</p>
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
5/44
<p>Why so glum? Maybe because “WilSon” was headed out of Salem again, <a href="http://soapoperadigest.com" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> revealed right before Valentine’s Day. At least Tinker had a new role on <em>Fire Country </em>with which he could keep heating up the screen.</p>
Image: Peacock screenshot
6/44
<p>Only on a soap can a character leave this earth and their portrayer not actually leave the show. But such was the case shortly after New Year when Kayla kicked the bucket.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/44
<p>Why is Rex checking for his own pulse? It should have been Kate that he was worried about, as she, too, left… at least this plane of existence.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
8/44
<p>They say that bad things happen in threes, so we suppose we shouldn’t have been surprised when Marlena followed Kayla and Kate into the afterlife. On the plus side, all her portrayer really <em>left</em> was any and all wardrobe that wasn’t white.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
9/44
<p>Thankfully, Kristen was still alive and kicking. But in early 2023, it appeared that her portrayer’s <em>other</em> character, kooky Susan, had met her maker. Operative word: <em>appeared</em>.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
10/44
<p>It was going to be a blue Christmas for fans of the Emmy winner, who revealed only days before Santa loaded up his sleigh that her second stint as Ava was coming to an end. “Thanks,” she Instagrammed to her followers, “for all the love and support you continue to show me.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/44
<p>If only it had just been a slap. As Sami left Salem once more after learning — on her and Lucas’ wedding day, no less! — that she’d been kidnapped by her fiancé, she seemed to indicate that hell would freeze over before she returned. Her portrayer, of course, was more open to the idea of a short-term comeback.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/44
<p>The doctor is out. Recurring as the DiMeras’ go-to mad scientist Rolf since 1997, the veteran actor was replaced in the summer of 2022 by Richard Wharton.</p>
Image: Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock
13/44
<p>Ciara later! <em>Days of Our Lives</em> <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/623232/days-of-our-lives-victoria-konefal-exits-ciara-sails-montreal-ben/" target="_blank">wanted to sign the fan favorite</a> to a contract; she wanted to spread her wings. So at least for a while, she’ll be MIA from Salem’s lot.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
14/44
<p>Though the leading man passed through <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ revolving door as Ben in the summer of 2022, headwriter Ron Carlivati teased that we <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/623234/days-of-our-lives-robert-scott-wilson-exits-ben-ciara-boat-trip/" target="_blank">hadn’t seen the last of the actor</a> in Salem.</p>
Image: NBC
15/44
<p>After six years as Lani, the actress took her leave of Salem in the summer of 2022. And making her exit an even <em>bigger</em> blow to fans was the fact that just as she was exiting, so was…</p>
Image: Peacock
16/44
<p>With the July departure of the <em>Young & Restless</em> vet, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> viewers didn’t just lose Eli and Lani, they also lost — sniffle — “Elani.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/44
<p>In June, the love story of Abigail and Chad was put to bed, so to speak, when her portrayer’s unavailability made her the unfortunate star of a murder mystery. (Here’s <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/633687/days-of-our-lives-marci-miller-leaving-abigail-murdered/" target="_blank">why the show didn’t bring back Kate Mansi</a>.)</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
18/44
<p>Color us… perplexed. <em>Days of Our Lives</em> let Tripp cheat death, only to reveal a few weeks later that it was shipping him out of Salem. (<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/633685/days-of-our-lives-lucas-adams-exits-tripp-leaves-salem-moves-seattle/" target="_blank">Get all the deets here.</a>)</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/44
<p>Ushered into Salem via a dead-end street, the <em>All My Children</em> vet was shown the way out as Lani’s biodad TR… well, pretty much the <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/630630/days-of-our-lives-william-christian-exits-lani-kills-tr/" target="_blank">only way the villainous character could have been</a>.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/44
<p>The doctor is out. After Craig’s eyes were pried open about conniving fiancé Leo, Nancy’s heartbroken ex made tracks out of Salem, <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported in April 2022.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
21/44
<p>Although Sami’s kidnapping in August 2021 marked the end of the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> vet’s latest return engagement, her next one was already beginning. As she told<em> Soap Opera Digest</em> at the time, “I have other scenes that I’m doing right now” — our favorite way of turning “goodbye” into “See ya soon!”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI Studios
22/44
<p>Fans were excited to learn that Nicole’s husband would be coming home for their anniversary. Unfortunately, even as Greg Vaughan and his handsome alter ego appeared on screen in mid-July of 2021 came news that Eric was only in town long enough for <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/604550/days-of-our-lives-greg-vaughan-exit-eric-leaves-nicole-again/" target="_blank">his marriage to be blown out of the water</a>. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
23/44
<p>Just when we were getting used to the daytime newbie, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> went and, so to speak, <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/601904/days-of-our-lives-chanel-recast-raven-bowens-replaces-precious-way/" target="_blank">changed the Chanel</a>. In June of 2021, it was revealed that Raven Bowens would be assuming the role of Paulina Price’s daughter from the up-and-comer who’d been cast in MC Lyte’s new sitcom.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
24/44
<p>So much for a happy ending for “Xarah.” On March 16, Sarah Horton’s portrayer confirmed via Twitter that she was leaving behind her character — “and all 86 of her hairstyles.” Glad we saved the receipt on that toaster we’d gotten the couple.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
25/44
<p>Hey, at least maybe we’ll get flashbacks for a few weeks until we find out whodunit. But for all practical purposes, Charlie Dale’s shooting on February 25 brought to an end his well-received portrayer’s run in the role of Ava’s son (bad) and Allie’s rapist (so… much… worse).</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
26/44
<p>Mirror, mirror, in her hand, sorry, we don’t understand… But in February of 2021, the news broke that the Daytime Emmy-winning soap-hopper had reached the end of her stint as Jennifer Horton. Maybe she’ll find her way back to a former <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/587060/all-my-children-primetime-series-pine-valley-in-development-abc/" target="_blank">show of hers that’s being rebooted</a>…</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
27/44
<p>What a way to go. No sooner had Laura Horton returned to Salem in February 2021 with a suitcase full of revelations to unpack than she was sent on a one-way trip to the hereafter. Ah well, we’ll always have The Meadows.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
28/44
<p>If all good things must come to an end, we suppose so must all bat-guano-crazy bad ones. In November 2020, <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported that Heather Lindell had wrapped her return engagement as off-kilter Jan Spears.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
29/44
<p>Jaws dropped in mid-September when <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported that the veteran cast member was <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/578184/days-of-our-lives-melissa-reeves-leaving-recast-jennifer-horton/" target="_blank">leaving her long-running role</a> of Jennifer Horton — temporarily, it’s said — and being replaced by daytime MVP Cady McClain (most recently Kelly on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>).</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
30/44
<p>Few things say “Yeah, I won’t be around for all that long” like a character going so far around the bend that she kidnaps a beloved former serial killer and tries to mess with his mind to the point that he’d even <em>consider</em> making himself a widower. Better luck next time, Eve Donovan?</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
31/44
<p>“Oh!” we exclaimed upon hearing that the iconic <em>Santa Barbara</em> alum would be reprising his role of Eduardo Hernandez on <em>Days of Our Lives</em>. But that enthusiastic “Oh!” quickly got downgraded to a bummed-out “Oh” when we realized that the character was only being brought on for long enough to usher off the canvas his children.</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
32/44
<p>In late July, <em>Days of our Lives</em> fans were dealt yet another blow when it came out that Gabi’s portrayer was exiting stage right after a decade of pot-stirring. Thankfully, it was announced before she’d even left that she would be returning so fast, we’d hardly know she’d been gone.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
33/44
<p>Seemingly seconds after Konefal confirmed her exit, this Emmy winner admitted that he, too, was done at <em>Days of our Lives</em>. “It’s with <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/573258/days-of-our-lives-greg-vaughan-goodbye-message-to-fans/" target="_blank">love, laughter and tears of joy</a> I leave you,” wrote the actor, who’d played Eric Brady since 2012.</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
34/44
<p>In late July, Ciara Brady’s portrayer revealed that, although “I would love the opportunity to continue working with my castmates in the future… <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/571461/days-of-our-lives-victoria-konefal-exit-ciara-brady/" target="_blank">I will not be returning</a> as a full-time cast member.” Insert shocked gasps here.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
35/44
<p>In July, after confirming that her 37th year as Hope Williams Brady would be her last, the <em>Days of our Lives</em> legend explained that a request to take four or five months off prompted her to walk. “It was,” she told <em>Entertainment Tonight</em>, “<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/572296/days-of-our-lives-kristian-alfonso-explains-exit/" target="_blank">the perfect moment</a> to make that decision.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
36/44
<p>Yeah, that was pretty much the same expression we wore when we learned this summer just how brief the fan favorites’ returns as Ivan Marais and his madam, Vivian Alamain, were going to be. At least the villainess’ death was as legit as every other one on <em>Days of Our Lives </em>— in other words, not at all — so we can anticipate a comeback at some point.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
37/44
<p>It wasn’t just actors’ heads that were rolling; execs’ were being cut off, too. Just before Independence Day, we heard that Meng — a part of the Corday Productions family since 1989! — <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/570681/days-of-our-lives-greg-meng-fired/" target="_blank">had been canned</a>. Was it his refusal to use <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/570587/days-of-our-lives-return-production/" target="_blank">blowup dolls</a>?</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
38/44
<p>In June, just weeks before she became a Daytime Emmy winner, Keegan told <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-olivia-rose-keegan-on-days-comeback1/" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> that her return as Claire Brady comprised “about two and a half months of shows.” She had a good time — “It was a blast” — but that good time wasn’t meant to last.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
39/44
<p>After replacing her replacement, Marci Miller, as Abigail DiMera, Mansi left the show again in May. And if <em>that</em> didn’t make you dizzy in and of itself, get <em>this</em>: The show then tapped Miller to step back in as Abigail. No wonder the character has multiple personalities!</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
40/44
<p><em>Days of our Lives</em>’ Rafe Hernandez since 2008, Gering taped his last episode in February. Only it didn’t turn out to be his last episode at all; he quickly reached a new agreement with the show and went right back to work.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
41/44
<p>In another <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/572974/days-of-our-lives-freddie-smith-interview-wilson-exit-exclusive/" target="_blank">exclusive interview</a> with Soaps.com, Massey’s leading man said that he didn’t like to think that he couldn’t come back someday as Sonny Kiriakis with Will in tow. Rather, “I like to look at it as they’re resting our characters.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
42/44
<p>After we found out that the Daytime Emmy winner — who’d previously been recast and “killed off” — had been axed as Will Horton, he told Soaps.com in an <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/567246/days-of-our-lives-chandler-massey-interview/" target="_blank">exclusive interview</a> that he was entertaining the idea of going back to school.</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
43/44
<p>Following a seven-year run as JJ Deveraux, the son of supercouple Jack and Jennifer, Moss called it a days — er, <em>day</em> — and left right after leading lady Megia. But at least he got a lovely parting gift: his real-life romance with castmate True O’Brien (ex-Paige).</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
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