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On the heels of the recent announcement that soap star, John-Paul Lavoisier, will be out as Phillip Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives, I started thinking about all the characters who have come and gone in the soap world.
Many soap opera characters remain on the scene for a number of years. Should those long-term characters depart, it is generally due to appropriate continuity for their storyline or by request of the actor portraying the role choosing to move on to other projects. I am always saddened when I feel a character has not been given the chance to reach his/her potential, for both the character and the actor.
Unfortunately, Days of Our Lives seems to have had more than it’s share of character/actor turnarounds during the past couple of years. It would appear the residents of Salem have a pattern of short-lived stays in town.
Sadly, another outstanding soap actor, John-Paul Lavoisier, is the latest in a long line of actors who have become victim to changing storyline directions. The go-to answer to a plot that does not resonate with audiences, is to remove the character/actor and redirect the storylines of all the others who may have had anything to do with him/her.
There are many characters who have “left” Salem during the past year. Some will clearly be missed more than others, but in every case I wish there had been an alternate answer than to have the character completely removed from the show.
Which character on Days do you miss, and hope will return? I have several in mind!
Let’s Talk!!!
Girl, puh-lease. You KNOW who I want back: WILLIAM ROBERT HORTON. I don’t care who plays him (preferably Chandler, that’s not going to happen) but just get him back. This was the worst mistake Days has every written. It’s so very easily fixed. Blame a Dimera (Stefano, Andre) but just bring him back.
LOL — You know I’m with you!!! Legacy character, Will Horton, must be brought back to Days!
They could easily say that the real Will was kidnapped by Stefano while he was in California and replaced by a double. It was only after Will came back from California that his character changed so badly.
Works for me!
What upsets me about this one is that he never really had a purpose. Why did they hire him. They never used him. It’s so frustrating as a viewer
I agree. I felt JPL was utilized more as a plot device than a character in the center of a storyline. I can empathize with your frustration. I loved “Rex” on OLTL so this was a disappointment.
Days is doing a terrible job these days. JPL was totally the wrong choice to play Philip. I wonder if Kenneth Jay Johnson was available, or if Corday decided he wold go with a “name” instead of a familiar face to the fans of the show. Another loss was Marie Wilson, an excellent actress thrown into a really stupid story line that the fans never warmed up to. Why would they think that the character of Summer, brought in to drive a wedge between Victor and Maggie, and between Brady and Theresa, would ever be accepted? Why bring in superstar Vincent Irizarry and make him a hateful character who put beloved Maggie in a wheelchair? Why bring back Daniel Cosgrove just to make him an evil character just like he was before his previous run? And have they just decided to completely de-gay the show? They killed off legacy character Will and have disappeared Paul. One wonders what horrible story line Sonny will be involved in. Surely nothing having to do with his sexuality.
I can understand all your frustration with DOOL. There has been a lot of disappointment with how they are utilizing their quality talent-giving them less-than-engaging storylines.
I hope when Sonny returns, we will get to see better than you’re expecting.
I never watch OLTL so i do not know the acting of JPL. I think he is the wrong fit as Phillip and the writers really did not give him a chance. Days has a few problems. 1: They bring on actors who were popular in there other soaps. Then Days hasno idea how to write for them. IMO bringing in “name” soso stars never works. Problem #2. Dena Higley as head writer. She has no udea how to write romance. All she writes is plit points. She also writes for her favs and the rest if cast goes in back burner. Hope and Rafe have been in way to much. She needs to go. Problem #3 Days tapes way to far ahead. Taping that far ahead you cannot fix what is not working. Days needs to start taping 4/6 weeks ahead.
I think all your points are valid and hope there will be some corrections so the problems on the show don’t continue.
Thank you so much for sharing all your views!
I hope someone is listening to the people that are TRULY WATCHING the show, maybe the writers ( I guess they are that) need to read the DAYS IF OUR LIVES 59 years book!! May help them.. I have watched for many years and was so happy that. Ken Corday wanted to save the show with all his ideals maybe he needs to read the book too. Yes people don’t like some of the things or persons, but this show is not a show with loveling family’s, happy sram times, it is dark rooms music so loud you can’t here anyone talk. You people best get you mojo on or u won’t have anyone watching
I can completely understand how you feel. Many long-time viewers are concerned about the direction the show has taken during the past two years. I do hope we will see some positive changes as I, too, love Days and have watched for many, many years.
Will. Preferably played by Guy Wilson. In all my years of watching soaps I think killing Will Horton (especially in the undignified/stupid way it was done) was the worst decision ever. A double legacy character that was born on the show (and loved by so many) and who was a part of so many notable plot lines. Not to mention having him come out as gay and then making history with the first same sex wedding.
I totally agree with you! I think killing off Will Horton was one of the biggest mistakes Days ever made. I do hope they bring him back. In addition, I think there are several talented actors that deserve another go-round with quality storylines.