Daytime Confidential's Top 10 Most Improved of 2008
No. 4: Arianne Zucker - Days of Our Lives
It's hard to believe Arianne Zucker is the same actress who came onto the Days of Our Lives canvas as a dead-on-arrival love interest for Eric Brady (Jensen Ackles) some 10 years ago. Nicole was basically a blonder version of the popular Billie Reed character, right down to her porn star back story, her pervy daddy and her sexy, heroic brother who caused a stir in Sami Brady's (Alison Sweeney) va jay jay. Somewhere along the way Zucker rose above the archetypical writing and created a fierce vixen/heroine hybrid all her own.
While Zucker has grown leaps with each passing year, 2008 was definitely her breakout year, as a boozy Nicole showed back up in Salem, announcing to anyone who would listen that she was very much still Mrs. Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston). Too bad Terrible Tom, er Terrible Trent (Roscoe Born) also arrived in town proving the trophy wife was still married to him. Luckily Nicole had her trusty (and hunky) British lawyer EJ DiMera (James Scott) to lean on. Zucker's chemistry with Scott has been positively electric (Sorry Ejami fans.) Zucker is also bringing the heat with Nu Brady (Eric Martsolf) who has been supporting the neurotic troublemaker through the miscarriage of her miracle tot with EJ. Speaking of Nicole's loss, Zucker as a grieving mother, has given the most heartbreakingly-authentic performance we've seen on Days of Our Lives since Hope (Kristian Alfonso) grieved for Zack.
Post Deidre and Drake, Arianne Zucker just may prove to be this show's biggest draw. Oh and did we mention she's a web star too? That's Zucker doing a hilariously, yet poignant turn as Winnie, the frustrated head writer of Greenville General in the pilot episode of Strike TV's Life in General (add link). We can't wait to see what's next for this multitasking thespian in 2009.
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Comments
3 December 2008
1 week 5 days
Pleasantly surprised to see Jake Silbermann on here. I get flack from friends for saying that he's gotten a lot better than when he first started on the show (they still say he's wooden). I like him and I think he does a good job portraying a character with stunted emotional growth. I just with TPTB would take him off the back-burner and put him in a decent storyline along with Van.
Nice to Arianne Zuker on here too. She was terrible when she first started on Days but she's grown tons since the return. Too bad her current storyline stinks.
8 May 2008
10 weeks 5 days
I think that Judith Chapman could act, but her character was simply irredeemable until today's episode. It was the best work of her career and made me and the fans sympathetic to her. I wanted Gloria gone, but I am loving her now.
siomonstuart2003
14 November 2007
3 years 6 weeks
Thank You for putting Brandon Buddy on the list! I'd put him #1 on my most improved list. The kid has come a loooong way. Not only has he improved but I think he's turned into a terrific actor who brought me to tears several times over the last year. I haven't watched recently (my own private Tarty Boycott) and BB is one of the few things I really miss...
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DaisyClover (aka SamBot #1)
12 May 2008
23 hours 8 min
SO glad to see My girl Mandy Bruno on here. She really did do the Damn thing this past year. I'm just happy to see her get the credit she deserves!
Brandon Buddy, Lawrence St. Victor, and even Judith Chapman have all improved leaps and bounds this past year as well!
Nice list, y'all!
20 December 2008
2 years 46 weeks
You guy's really hit the mark on the head about
lawrence St Victor & Mandy Bruno...they really have been amazing in a very turbulant year over at "Guiding Light". I do have to say there seems to be more interest in the show as of late for many reasons...let's just hope we can save the LIGHT.
21 November 2008
1 hour 47 min
While some actors transcend mediocre to bad writing, it seems like Judith Chapman needs it on the page; when it's there, she brings the heat.
Good picks all the way around...
24 January 2008
33 weeks 2 days
i would just have to say that picture of star and cole rivals any hollywood golden era movie poster. they have chemistry and energy and knowing their story makes the picture even more amazing.
awesome choices - i bow to your listmaking! keep them coming!
6 September 2008
49 weeks 5 days
i'm glad that DROOPY DAWG lady won, i like her!
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