DC #327: Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn Fired
Mouths around the soap world collectively dropped this weekend as the unthinkable happened. The recently-renewed Days of Our Lives, fired its biggest supercouple Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans) and Drake Hogestyn (John Black). In this special episode of the DC podcast Luke, Mike and Jamey invite veteran soap journalist Nelson Branco (TV Guide Canada's The Suds Report) and former Days writer Tom Casiello to weigh in from the perspective of industry insiders.
Reactions to the shocking news are gauged from the panel, including: Branco, who reveals Days of Our Lives was the first soap he ever watched and how he first fell in love with the ravishing Hall even before discovering Andrea Evans and One Life to Live; and Casiello, who during his last few months on the soap before the Writers' Strike, was part of a team under Hogan Sheffer that was forced to script out the soap's "Big Four" (Hall, Hogestyn, Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell) due to their reported astronomical salaries and ultimately made the decision to kill of the wildly-popular character of John Black— since they were prohibited from using Hogestyn— only to see executive producer Ken Corday panic about fan response and order them to bring the character and actor back.
The DC gang also give their perspective based on their varying histories with the show. Jamey, who has been watching the show for the better part of three decades, reveals his dismay that lower level stars like Molly Burnett, Shelley Hennig, Josh Taylor, Thaao Penghlis, Leann Hunley and Shawn Christian weren't cut first before the show even considered touching the Big Four. Mike, who watched in the early 80's and only recently tuned back in, conveys he still can't believe the show hired Josh Taylor, who once played Roman and Marlena's pal Chris Kositchek as a recast for Wayne Northrop's Roman, with Branco adding that move was a "Jump The Shark" moment for him, adding that Taylor is good friends with Corday. Luke, who has watched Days since the 90's, speculates the brass could be moving to strategically weed out most of the show's veteran performers to repackage Days for an eventual sale to ABC or SOAPnet.
The discussion then moves to what this means for the future of Days of Our Lives and the genre as a whole. If an international superstar like Hall isn't safe, who could be next? Reckell? Alfonso? Sweeney? Taking it a step further, will other soaps start to think their top stars are expendable? Could we see a day when the headline is "Susan Lucci Out", or "Eric Braeden Axed"? This is an episode of Daytime Confidential you don't want to miss.
Listen to Daytime Confidential by clicking on the Daytime Confidential Player at the bottom of this post or Download us for FREE via iTunes. Vote for us on Podcast Alley. Add us as a Friend on MySpace and Facebook.
- Login or register to post comments
-
- Email this page
Comments
2 January 2008
5 weeks 6 days
Hey dc viewers watch the ratings fall
14 November 2007
2 years 43 weeks
I love you all so much, and listening to the podcast, and I'm basically crying from the awesomeness of it.
I love you all for, whether you're a Deidre fan/Marlena fan or not, seeing it for the travesty it is. I mean, she's Deidre fucking Hall! She's given 32 years of her life to loving this show and giving it what she could. And this isen't like when they let her go in 1986/87, this is... Nelson used "shameful" and "unforgivable" and those words just really, really fit.
I'm shocked. I knew Corday was an asshole, but I didn't realize he was a stupid asshole. I'm sorry, but I don't care how much money she makes (and she's willingly taken paycuts before). There are some actors, a rare one or two, that deserve and have earned what they're paid.
I'd love to see her do primetime (Pushing Daisies? Ugly Betty? Brothers & Sisters?), daytime (Y&R sounds good, however, Melody Thomas Scott will never let that happen), early shows... All of it. She's got such a fabulous personality, she'd be great with a talk show. But I'd really kill to watch her go to an amazing (even short'd be awesome) stint on like Y&R or something, win an Emmy and just say "Frak you" when Corday begs her to come back.
Ken Corday fired Deidre Hall... the world seriously makes no sense right now.
22 January 2008
12 hours 52 min
Thanks so much Naughtyeskimo, just one clarification though. In 86/87 Hall left on her own accord. I totally agree, Nelson hit it on the head, this was shameful. It's akin to NBC putting Jay Leno out to pasture for Conan before Leno was ready to retire. There is no honor among thieves.
14 November 2007
2 years 43 weeks
I have to give praise for my boys, you know that. Esp when they speak so "truthily".
That is what's presumed, but it was a "mutual decision". Deidre wanted to stay and do both Our House and DAYS, which she did for quite some time. They wouldn't let her do that, they wanted all or nothing and so they "let her go".
- Linn
22 January 2008
12 hours 52 min
Oh wow, I had never heard that! So they were even idiots back then! LOL They have really done these two dirty. Drake used to sign record four year contracts when other soap stars would only commit to two years. He had a couple of sitcoms in development over the years, but nothing ever came through, back in the early 90's, after Dee's return and their popularity skyrocketed, they both could have easily ditched daytime and become primetime stars, but they stayed with Days and look where it got them. Corday is a tremendous joke.
14 November 2007
2 years 43 weeks
Yeah, I know! I think less than 6 months after, they were asking her to come back. They kept hinting several times that she was during the 4+ years she was gone.
Bill and Susan Hayes described it as "emptiness" when she was gone. She makes a lot of difference on that set. Ken Corday should be ashamed of himself.
Deidre did some movies of the week and stuff, but other than that, she was only on DAYS. And you know she had her chances to do other things.
8 May 2008
2 weeks 10 hours
I think this is an end of an era for DAYS and I feel that should just cancelled the thing and go out of a bang instead of destroying it and putting on crap and acting like it is great soap. I feel bad for Deirdre and Drake and hope that someone brings them on another soap.
siomonstuart2003
22 August 2008
47 weeks 10 hours
DRAKE CAN COME IN AND PLAY SAM'S FATHER ON GH
HE CAN PLAY OPPOSITE NANCY LEE GRAHAN IF THEY BRING ALEXIS BACK FROM WHEREVER SHE IS
5 November 2007
12 hours 4 min
I would like to see both or either one on GH or Y&R since those are the ones I watch the most. Ken Corday needs to be taken behind the woodshed.
I'm not sure if it was Nelson or Tom who said what he did about Hogan Sheffer, but I choked on my drink! Poor Luke. I have some brain bleach to spare. LOL
30 June 2008
3 years 2 weeks
"At least we still have the autistic kid"...ROFLMAO!!!
In all seriousness, I'm not ready to ring the death toll for Days just yet. I am however agreeing that Corday should be ashamed of himself. And Dena Higley is the kiss of death for any soap.
14 August 2008
1 year 1 day
Ill miss their horny lovemaking the most. Oh John and Marlena.
22 January 2008
12 hours 52 min
They had the raunchiest sex scenes in daytime! LOL Oh...I think I'm gonna cry.
9 September 2008
10 hours 17 min
if there is a God in heaven, Jamey and Nelson will cohost a show on soaps!!! LOL
I listened to the last 15 minutes of the podcast about 5 times!!! LOL
Bravissimo!!!!!!!!!
14 November 2007
1 year 38 weeks
I'm listening to the show now...just wanted to drop by and say thanks for doing this emergency show! I couldn't wait to hear what all of you had to say about the news.
I'm hoping there will be a follow up show that includes reactions of others on the DC crew: Aussie Correspondents Brooke & Aussie Brian, Nikki and everyone else I'm forgetting, lol (Jillian watches DAYS right?)
14 November 2007
51 weeks 5 days
*sigh* I am listening.... it is great guys! I am trying to sound happy, but its kinda hard... I am in the sad and depressed stage right now.... heading towards Denial.... my fav place... I hope B has my beach chair set up on the island....
13 August 2008
40 weeks 3 days
I think the rating are wrong there is no way Melanie is bringing an increase.
______________________
Wubit Ethiopia!!! 13 Month Of Sunshine.
12 February 2008
2 hours 29 min
I am really depressed...
I have been the positive thinker when it comes to the soaps, but it's starting to look grim. NBC is really underestimating the fans of this show. If they think we showed our asses last year, they ain't seen nothing yet.
***///I'm whistling Dixie until my prayers are answered...\\\***
16 August 2007
16 hours 58 sec
I'm not sure how I feel about this lol
13 August 2008
40 weeks 3 days
if there is a God in heaven, Jamey and Nelson will cohost a show on soaps!!! LOL I listened to the last 15 minutes of the podcast about 5 times!!! LOL Bravissimo!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you 100%.Is it even possible or even ok with you Luke if I can burn this episode on a CD and mail it to Corday, NBC and the soap magazines? So they know there are a lot of great writer better than Dena Higley. Also how the fan feel about these couple being fired.
______________________
Wubit Ethiopia!!! 13 Month Of Sunshine.
18 November 2008
3 years 11 weeks
I completely agree with gush900 - Goodbye Ratings!
"Ken Corday doesn't give a shit!" from Jamie I think is such a true statement. This is such a joke and slap in the face to anyone who has watched this show over the last 25 years. I grew up on this show, and I am actually a huge Steve and Kayla fan.
The reason they haven't come back with a bang is that there is no writing to support them in a storyline that interconnects them with what made them famous in the day. I want the writing for the couples in the 80s back - this isn't going to happen. I hate to see this wounded industry go down this way. It would at least be more heroic to write for the mainstays and go down with the dignity that these supercouples deserve.
I am only 34 and don't give a hooha about the NEW crowd. I want my Steve and Kayla, Bo and Hope, Tony and Anna, and John and Marlena... Thanks for your takes...
8 May 2008
2 weeks 10 hours
I am sad and mad at Corday for bringing pain and destruction to the cast of "DAYS" and he is going to pay for it when the ratings in a freefall when Deidre and Drake leaves. I am now agreeing with the caller who say that someone behind-the-scenes are doing everything in their powers to disrupts the industry by ruined it so that it would be any fans left. Any, do you agree that they want to do away with soaps forever?
siomonstuart2003
4 May 2008
26 weeks 1 day
That was the first DC podcast I've listened to, and it was fantastic! Everyone pretty much said what I was thinking. The only thing I'd add is...
This has been brewing for years. If you remember Higley's first stint, she backburned John and Marlena, apparently at Corday's request, and it wasn't until Reilly returned later that year that their screen-time upped.
Then, when Reilly was unceremoniously fired, the interim headwriter Beth Milstein sent them out to pasture for a few months, likely at Corday's request.
When Sheffer arrived, he claimed to have all these stories for John and Marlena, but obviously Corday curtailed that. And we've been promised a John/Marlena love story with Higley but haven't gotten it. Add to this the fact that Days never contacted Eileen Davidson when she was free from Y&R and then B&B, and it becomes crystal clear.
So you can actually trace the John/Marlena development back about five and a half years.
18 November 2008
3 years 10 weeks
i would have cut all day long...
LMAO preach it brotha!
Most popular couple in daytime
DAMN RIGHT
there hasn't been a "longterm" plan for this show since about....the Princess Gina storyline :S
SSK storyline doesn't count coz that ending was not how it was supposed to end.
i'm 26 ... a core demo individual
and i don't give a flying fuck about the "next gen" of supercouples
John and Marlena // Tony and Anna...hell, i'd rather see Doug and Julie over Max and Stephanie GROSS!
"fuck off you piece of shit"
OMG i would die to hear the soundbite of Deidre telling Ken that LOL LOL LOL
that would be awesome
this podcast was wicked
i will tune in again for sure.
2 January 2008
5 weeks 6 days
Jamey you hit the nail right on the head in regards of jim e reilly.Deidre had such an admiration for reilly he was her favorite head writer.He wrote so wonderfully for them
9 September 2008
10 hours 17 min
Luke,
No disrespect was intended. You are one of the best moderators around, the Tim Russert (Meet the Press) or Gwen Ifill (Washington Week in Review) of daytime. You definitely need your own round table program, "This Week in Soaps with Luke Kerr."
I was thinking that Nelson & Jamey need some freewheeling, no holds barred, snarky "Talk Soup" type set up.
If only I could program SoapNet......LOL
19 December 2007
3 years 1 day
I will try and break things down a tiny bit so here we go.
#1. The ratings:
I agree that the ratings will spike a tiny bit when they leave, but it will plummet.
Why were the ratings the same all year? because we the fans have had hope, Melanie wasn't completely taking over the show until very recently, she has really taken over and she will be one of the things that helps kill this show.
#2. John and Marlena's sunset exit:
We knew this is coming, the only other option is if they are killing them off which they obviously are not dumb enough to do (.....) so they let the fans know they will get a little bit of a pay off between now and the 'end'.
#3. Dee and Drake 'moving on'.
I really haven't thought about this much, maybe i am in denial, (considering Denial Island is like my second home sure fits) DH is DAYS, loosing her will be like loosing the show's soul, even if she wasn't in a good storyline (which i will get to in a moment) she was still around and people still tuned in because MARLENA was on the show.
The show shouldn't rest on their shoulders, they should be 'able' to leave without everything going down hill, Marlena and John have both left the show before and it survived, but the difference was the show was in a better state.
#4. Current (/past) storylines for John and Marlena (From Hogan to Dena)
I have heard the excuse from Tom C, and the industry that their hands were tied and that is why they can't write for John and Marlena (, Bo , Hope), but That is just that, a excuse, I am sorry you can still have a front burner storyline that we give a crap about at one day a week.
If John was just lurking around trying to find where Stefano had hidden hid 'Doc' all summer at two - three episodes a week instead of smacking lips with a mobster then we (the fans) would have had a much better, more enjoyable summer.
#5. DAYS of our lives "The next generation".
As much as i love 'teen' soaps like Hollyoaks (uk) and Home and Away (Aus) the teen model isn't DAYS, at least it isn't with the current cast and writing team. I am not going to tune in to see who in his family Max is sleeping with today and what character that red headed mess is destroying this time.
#6. JER = Genius .
Holy crap, i totally agree, and while i still think what he did to Passions was crap, there was some behind the scenes situations that probably effected his writing to some point.
I didn't want JER back, but at the same time looking back at it, he is the ONLY person i know of that could have saved DAYS.
#7. Tom C for headwriter!
He is the Ron C for DAYS, come on lets get him that nice HW job, i am sure he will work for less then Dena if need be and he will give a crap about the fans.
Final thoughts:
I can't say i am 'threw' with DAYS, i am a newer viewer but i have suffered this long so why not suffer along a little bit more and see the end of a era?
Jamey mentioned that watching these shows destroy themselves makes you literary sick, i just want to tell Jamey that is exactly how i felt whatching what JER did to Passions, i know you guys mock it like it was the 'red headed' step-soap of the industry but that was because JER went crazy and didn't have anyone there to ground him.
"Yes you can do the Zombies, no to the hermaphrodite son sleeping with his father and uncle."
The US soap industry is dying, we know this but I am still shocked that Nelson doesn't bring up Corrie and other soaps that he watches that are still doing AMAZING in the ratings overseas.
I know the US soaps are gone, but I will still be tuning into soaps once all of these are dead and gone (hopefully).
Keep up the great work, and thank you to all of the panelist for doing this show.
16 October 2008
13 hours 27 min
Loved the podcast yet was saddened at the same time knowing this is the end of Days! Nelson, it was great to finally hear your voice! YOU are HYSTERICAL, man! Jamey & Tom, good job, too!
Jon
1 December 2007
1 year 1 week
I am not a regular viewer of Days. I tuned out a really long time ago but I do love your podcasts. You kept referring to Diedre as the face of the show and mentioned Eric Braeden and Erica Slesak as being other examples of stars that are identified with their shows. I just feel I have to mention Anthony Geary. Has any other actor brought as much attention to daytime? I know people who don't watch soaps who know about Luke and Laura. Long live GH!!! Great podcast.
*****Never fear spellcheck. It is your friend.******
19 December 2007
3 years 1 day
While i will agree that 'everyone knows' Luke (& Laura) on GH, but if Anthony Geary was to get fired or leave GH, we would barely even notice him missing, i am not saying he should be fired and treated like DH/DDH, but when I think about GH i think "Sonny, Carly , Jason ,Scrubs." When i think DAYS I think "Marlena, John, Sami, EJ, Melanie" ((I have to say i do think Melanie when i think of days, but its not with a loving kinda way but in a I can't believe this trash is on my screen kind of way).
AG has made a big impact on the show, but i really don't think GH would see as big of a impact with the loss of Luke as DAYS will feel with the loss of Marlena/John.
Now this is coming from a 'newer' GH viewer but considering GH doesn't care about its longtime viewers I am the 'target' audience (okay well new viewers my age lol)
15 November 2008
3 years 9 weeks
Loved this podcast.
How the heck is Hackley still writing the show and Drake and Deidre are gone? Hackley can't write a postcard, lol. So true!
How can someone NOT be able to write a story for J&M? This year's storyline should have written itself. There is so much history for this couple. Higley just has no talent whatsoever.
She doesn't know how to tell real ensemble stories where everyone cares and gets involved and tries to make a difference. Instead we get these spoiled brats we don't care about. Bring up young people that we can care about using these incredibly talented veteran actors they have to introduce the young people and make us care.
I couldn't wait to see Brady getting involved with stories with J&M, now they fire them.
Why the heck IS Roman still on the show? What the heck does he ever do? There is so much dead weight that could be removed.
I watched Days for J&M and the characters that I care about. Without J&M, there is no reason to watch.
Even if there is a budget issue, why not at least discuss cutbacks with them. They've taken them before. If the pay on other soaps is so low in comparison, then they might've been agreeable. Just can't believe there weren't better choices to make. This makes no sense.
Great podcast. Thanks!