What DAYS Needs to Do If It Wants to Stay on Past 2010 Pt. I: The Hortons and Bradys Generation Next
The Death of Uncle Mickey
The best way to revamp the Hortons, and give Rogers and the show an Emmy-worthy storyline is to kill off the character of Mickey Horton. It's time to send Mickey to the Great Courthouse in the Sky. I love John Ingle to pieces, and adore his Edward Quartermaine on General Hospital. In the same vein, Kevin Dobson was the best husband Seaview Circle ever saw as Mac on Knots Landing, but neither of these men were my Uncle Mickey!
Mickey Horton died the day John Clarke announced his retirement from the show to watch his daughter Melinda scheme it up on The O.C., and enjoy his grandkids. It's high time this iconic character received a proper, history-rich burial. By having Maggie get a phone call telling her that Mickey has suffered a fatal heart attack while out of town on legal business, DAYS can quickly refocus the show around the Horton family. Bo and Hope, Lucas and Sami, Will, Doug and Julie can all come together, minus the ridiculous plot contrivances Dena has playing out for these characters, to help Maggie deal with the death of her soul mate, and how the family will break the news to Gran.
Think of all the mileage One Life to Live got out of Asa's touching memorial storyline. That character had only been on the show since the 80's, Mickey Horton has been a character on Days of Our Lives since episode one in 1965. Y&R showed in one fell-storyline swoop it remembered who it was, when they buried "Katherine Chancellor", causing fans and critics alike to log on and cheer. DAYS could accomplish a similar feat by killing off Mickey— for real this time.
I imagine DAYS thought killing Frank Parker's Shawn Brady would provide an effect similar to the one I am typing about. Yeah, not so much. Shawn was a great character, but he was never anything more than a Greek Chorus for the Brady kids and Caroline. He rarely drove story, whereas Mickey was one of DAYS most popular characters during its first two decades. Plus Parker was still in good health, and as a rule, soaps simply shouldn't kill off elderly veterans if they still have the ability and desire to come in to work everyday. It's cruel and unusual punishment to the fans who have stuck around for so much of the crap this industry has put us through.
For Mickey's funeral, old favorites like Lisa Trusel and Roark Critchlow could return as Mickey's older children, Melissa and Mike, while the show could take a great opportunity to re-introduce Mickey and Maggie's youngest daughter Sarah with a name actress in the role. Ready for the Wishful Casting? I would love to see All My Children's Eden Riegel as the daughter Maggie conceived via artificial insemination with family friend Dr. Neil Curtis!
Riegel just wrapped her stint on AMC and is back on the West Coast, so it's perfect timing for DAYS to snap her up, along with the hundreds of thousands of diehard soap fans who helped make her web series Imaginary Bitches such a smash hit, not to mention those same fans helping AMC receive notable ratings spikes over the past four months.
Blessed with killer acting chops, a ravenous fanbase and a husband-for-a-writer who could teach Judd Apatow a trick or three, Riegel isn't long for soaps. Some West Coast sudser better snag Riegel before daytime loses her to primetime, film and the web all together. I can't believe Fronsie didn't think about offering the role of Sarah Webber or Brooke Lynn Ashton on GH to Riegel before letting her get away. Oh well, ABC's loss could be DAYS gain!
Long before Sami found John making her mother meow on that Titan board room table like a horny, high-pitched, housecat, Sarah Horton lashed out at her mother after discovering Maggie was having her own steamy affair with Neil. Sarah was furious that her mother could do that to her beloved adopted dad. She didn't want to hear Maggie's excuses about how the workaholic Mickey had been neglecting her. Not long after that, Sarah and her sister Melissa left town, and while Melissa has popped up for a few visits, Sarah hasn't been heard from in years. In a twist of soapy irony, Riegel's sapphic AMC bride Tamara Braun was first rumored to re-create the role of Sarah, before joining the soap as Ava. Maybe Tams could put in a good word for Eden? Hook a sistah up!
Sarah's return, on the heels of her father's death, could be classic soap opera. It would be even sweeter if Sarah runs into her old flame, Rafe (Galen Gering) shortly after arriving in town. An attorney like her father, Sarah could have done an internship with the FBI, resulting in a brief, but steamy affair with Sami's new man—instant, character-driven conflict. Sarah could decide to remain in Salem— much to Sami's chagrin— to assume her father's law practice, and work on her issues with her mother. After almost a decade battling Erica Kane, no one does Mama Drama like Riegel.
Critchlow's Mike could also stay in town, reeling from the death of the man who raised him and continued to love him as his own, even after it was discovered that Mickey's own brother Bill was actually Mike's biological father, the product of Bill's rapemance of Laura. A two-day return stint from Jamie Lynn Bauer (ex-Laura Horton) for the funeral to share scenes with Mike would be icing on the soapy cake. Laura could once again apologize for keeping the truth from her son for the first 18 years of his life, providing a nod to DAYS first breakout storyline, penned by the late Bill Bell.
Mike's son Jeremy could also return to Salem a few months down the road, to hash out his issues with dear old dad. This time, instead of a Ken Doll-come-to-life, DAYS might wanna consider hiring a real actor, perhaps Karl Girolamo (Kevin, ATWT) or Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris, ATWT)? Maybe Jeremy's acting out is what broke up Mike and his true love Carrie (Christie Clark)? Clark could then return to play this storyline out and give DAYS a classic, 30-something romantic couple to root for, that doesn't involve the aforementioned bitches and rapists.
It would be nice to see Joe Gallison (ex-Neil) return to Salem for a couple of episodes for Mickey's funeral. I'm sure DAYS fans would much rather see a vet from their show return as opposed to old faves from All My Children or Another World, no offense to John Callahan or Sandra Ferguson. I loved me some Edmund Grey and Amanda Cory, but I wasn't trying to feel y'all coming to Salem the same week Doc and John were told to get to steppin'!
Imagine the explosive outburst from Sarah as her biological father shows up at her adopted father's funeral! It would be enough to make Maggie fall off the wagon. Neil could even bring his ex-wife Liz (Gloria Loring), who would sing "Amazing Grace" at the service, as the congregation flashes back to over four decades of memories with Uncle Mickey. Was anyone at DAYS paying attention to the fan reaction when news broke that Tricia Cast was reprising her role as Nina on Y&R for Kay's faux-neral? Road weary soap fans eat that kind of stuff up. Maria, Paul and Hogan get that. Frank and Ron get that. Hell, finally even Ellen, Jill and the rest of the 12 disciples, er head writers finally get that. When are Ken, Gary and Dena gonna get it?
DAYS could cast Ben Masters (ex-Julian, Passions) for a short-run as DAYS first antihero Bill Horton. Bill's troubled relationship with his sons Lucas and Mike— neither of whom he actually raised— would provide good, classic, melodrama. Imagine Masters opposite Bill's one-time mistress Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow). What if Laura confronts Kate at Mickey's wake, saying her husband's mistress has no right to be there, only for a grieving Maggie to inform her sister-in-law that since Laura's been away, Maggie and Kate have become friends, bonded over mutual affection for Lucas, and Kate is welcome to stay? It would be Brothers and Sisters for daytime!
DAYS has barely touched on how Lucas feels about being the illegitimate son of one of Salem's most prestigious families. Is that what drives him to drink? Psychologically, how does one go from believing their father was a distinguished military leader who died in service to his country, to finding out his mother was a common whore? Could this explain the penchant Lucas has for sluts, tramps and psychos? I know Dena is busy penning those groovy scenes where Phillip ( the deserving of better Jay Kenneth Johnson) screams STELLA, I mean Tony, at the top of his lungs, but I'd sure like to find out the answer to some of these questions!
How would Laura treat the constant, living reminder of her husband's infidelity? How would she react to Bill bonding with Kate, and their grandson Will? Laura's mistreatment of Will could bring about a (temporary) truce for Kate and Sami as both women vow to protect Will from the unstable Laura's wrath.
Perhaps even big name DAYS vets like Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer) and Matt Ashford (ex-Jack) would consider returning for a week to honor Mickey's passing, and by extension a recommitment to the essence of the soap? It would be the perfect opportunity to bring Abby Deveraux back to the canvas permanently. Abby could return with Jack and Jen for Uncle Mickey's funeral and decide to stay in town when the budding journalista is offered an internship at The Spectator.com or Bella Magazine.
My dream Wishful Casting for Abby is Danica Stewart (ex-Maxie, GH; ex-Jessica, Passions). I absolutely fell in love with this girl on NBC's short-lived, addictive web sudser Coastal Dreams and have been clamoring to see her on my screen ever since. If Stewart isn't available, maybe Julie Marie Berman (Lulu, GH) could be lured away from Port Chuck? We hear she's not happy with the way Shrew-Lu is being written these days...
Since Darin Brooks has said he would like to juggle his new sitcom gig with his DAYS job, the show should at least reward the talented young hunk with a decent storyline that doesn't involve Max committing near-incest with one of his adopted nieces— Abby is the perfect solution.
Fans would love a fun, sexy Max/Abby/Phillip/Stephanie front burner summer storyline that relied more on character and history than contrived plots. Max and Abby dated in the past, and Abby's parents Jack and Jennifer, were constant thorns in the side of Phillip's dad Victor, forever investigating his illegal business dealings. What if Abby picked up where her parents left of, much to Phillip's dismay and fascination? Max, could finally morph into Brady hero mode, by forever trying to keep Abby out of trouble.
You might have noticed I didn't mention Melanie when talking about my dream Horton/Brady-anchored DAYS young adult storyline. That's because in my scenario, Melanie's death would be what keeps Abby in town. After alienating everyone in Salem, Melanie would be killed off in a big summer Whodunit. Abby would stay in town to help her old flame Max find out who killed his sister. Was it EJ? Stefano? Victor? Phillip? Maggie (She got tired of sharing scenes with her)?
Matt Ashford could stick around all summer to help the audience get used to NuAbby. Jack could decide to stay and manage The Spectator.com, while Vern has hernia surgery. Jen, meanwhile heads back home after Uncle Mickey's funeral, because Jack Jr. has to finish out the school year and she's about to resume taping the next season of her talk show, Jennifer Rose.
Abby being back on the canvas would facilitate more short-term return stints for Ashford or Reeves, ala Finola Hughes on GH, where the witty reporters could pop up to help their daughter snoop around whenever the Kiriakis or DiMera's pull a scandal.
As for Jen's big brother, Mike should take Kayla's old job as Chief of Staff at Salem University, which would put him in quite the awkward position once it is revealed that Daniel Jonas, who just so happens to be a friend of Mike's from medical school, is bagging the wife of Mike's little brother Lucas. What if Mike fires Daniel on a morality clause? Daniel could file a discrimination suite, accusing the Horton's of targeting him unfairly. Sarah could defend Mike and the Horton name in court, opposite a new character, a cocky, ambulance chaser played by someone like Tom Pelphrey or Chad Brannon, who squares off with Riegel's Sarah ala Tracy and Hepburn.
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Comments
17 February 2009
3 years 20 weeks
Erica/Phil/Trent? Who the hell is Trent? Did you mean Tara?
22 January 2008
27 sec
lol yeah, tara. that's what i get 4 writing at the office!
12 February 2008
10 min 10 sec
Thanks for the shout-out, Jamey!
Now, this would be a show I would break my neck to see everyday. It could easily rival Y&R in the ratings department and at least get back to a 4.0! Days is also close to my heart, and the fans of this show are loyal. Look at the trash that they continue to endure now and the numbers still hit or get close to 3.0...
Imagine how they will react to a better show, rich with history & character-driven storylines?
I absolutely LOVE your soap-saving tip posts, Jamey! Can't wait for Pt. 2...
If you could, B&B, AMC, & GH need a slew of tips, as well.
10 December 2008
1 year 42 weeks
Okay I only skimmed this post because well I am supposed to be studying and WOW that is long lol.
I do agree with a lot of what you said, but instead of listing the problems i have with it (the whole not wanting to spend a lot of time on this post thing lol), Do you think that any network would really let the #3 rated soap die? I mean Dena has kept it pretty stable at #3 and it wouldn't really surprise me if it took over B&B's spot before soon. So would the industry really let it die?
I guess i am just being hopeful here, but I do think going back to your 'roots' and bringing back core family is a good move, they are currently doing this in Australia to get the ratings for Neighbours up a little by bringing back the Ramsey's to Ramsey street
.
I am interested in reading part 2 (and rereading part 1)
Keep up the good work Jamey.
15 October 2008
3 weeks 6 days
Now this is a Days of Our Lives I could watch!
Jamey I can't wait for part two.
1 July 2008
29 min 39 sec
Why are you not head-writing a daytime drama? Like GH, I have never been able to consistently watch DAYS. But, as I was riveted to every word you wrote, I would definitely watch the Jamey Giddens version of DAYS.
I know that it will be VERY difficult to get it out of its current AWFUL state, but can you give us your take on B&B?
22 January 2008
27 sec
SoapsSnob, thanks so much! I would love to be writing for daytime, but all any agent will tell me is "the industry is dying, the industry is dying, only a fool would want to write for daytime, spare yourself the headache". That is almost verbatim of what a top soap agent told me just yesterday! LOL I sort of posted this out of frustration. Ha!
8 May 2008
6 weeks 6 days
Soaps can be fixed if the industry start listening to the fans and not the bs focus groups and youth that ain't watching anyway. I don't want any talk show and reality show, the industry can be saved if they get good writers, budget the sets and balance the vets and newbies and the internet is any way to get revenue for shows and be a product placement to get money for the show that way. And last and not least, cut the execs pay, too.
8 May 2008
6 weeks 6 days
Jamey, can you write for each soap bout how to get more viewers to watch, like AMC, ATWT, B&B, GH, GL, OLTL, and Y&R?
22 January 2008
27 sec
Sure Simon Stuart! I will cover one soap a weekend for the next eight weeks!
25 September 2008
4 years 7 weeks
Damn Jamey...Damn...this nwould be my show that I know and loved as a child...if this should happen...Damn Dena, Ken and all of'm...lol
1 July 2008
29 min 39 sec
Jamey, thank you for responding to my post. And thank you even more so for remaining so positive, upbeat and creative in the face of industry insiders telling you that the daytime serial is a dying genre. With your connections, thus the sturm und drang you obviously hear often, it must be hard to soldier on. But I am so very glad that you do. I enjoy reading your posts and your insight, rants and humor on the podcasts always give me something about which to think or something at which to howl with laughter.
Keep up the great work. And never give up.
22 January 2008
27 sec
Yeah SoapSnob, it's funny, a lot of readers take us to task for "being negative", but high level people in soaps, several who actually RUN soaps are telling people its over and that they are just "riding it out". All you have to do is think about which soaps are fighting for survival, and which aren't to figure out who feels which way abou the industry. All of daypart is shrinking, but if one soap actually took the country by storm again, just one, it could buy the industry another decade, in my opinion. Either way, those of us who love it, are in it together!
30 October 2008
3 years 13 weeks
It would be great to have Laura back. They could use her and Kate in a decent story. The main problem I have with your ideas is the SOARSing of all the stupid kids. They are seriously daytime's biggest liablity and they should be cut back on every show. The writers can't resist piling the entire show on the kids when they are there. So they can't be given that option.
6 August 2008
7 weeks 5 days
Now that would be a great story! I have always been jealous when I see how some other soaps invite former characters back for special occasions. Days rarely has done this. Tom Horton's funeral was a big deal because so many characters returned and storylines continued to progress during that time. Mickey dying could really drive some great story and reestablish the Horton family as core. There are other possible family members to bring back as well. Rehire Stephen Schnetzer as Steven Olson. He was a ne'er do well back in the 70s who would be a great match for Kate. Dr Sandy Horton is another possibility. She could be paired with Daniel or someone else. Melissa has offscreen kids that would be teens by now as well. They could come back with their mom after she divorces. I always thought it was dumb that Marie or Jessica didn't visit when Nick was on the show. Would love to see them as well. And somewhere down the line, after Maggie has properly grieved for Mickey, I would love to see her break thru with Victor and break him from his angry bitter mode he has been in. That would be a couple worth exploring as well.
20 June 2008
1 year 6 weeks
Ugh! This just made me sad, thinking about the 90s. Laura Horton was my favorite! Instead of bringing on these random Melanie Layton's, why not branch out Julie's family. She has that son Scotty, who had David, who could return with a teen daughter for Max or something along the lines.
Kudos to you Jamey Giddens.
26 August 2008
7 weeks 1 day
Thank you Jamey!
This is what I've been saying forever! Why is this show, which is supposed to be about good triumphing over evil, being built on evil characters constantly winning.
A Dimera male is supposed to be the top catch in Salem? Seriously? A Kirikis is supposed to be the next most important guy in town?
We have all these characters that don't mean anything to the show, getting all this time. Yet the core characters just drift along.
Dena has taken the only Horton, whose in his 30s that left in town, and put him in a storyline where he's not even headlining. None of Lucas' history is being used. Lucas is a schemer, who was always missplaced in that family. But instead of growing the character, they've rewritten him so that Dena can use him like they use Frank on GL.
When was the last time Sami even had a real scene with the Brady. I've always seen Sami as on the line when it comes to a Brady. Well, not anymore. They've totally had her cross over. This fake Sami, I could actually see betraying her family and handing them over to the Dimeras.
DOOL is only #3 because its fans will put up with anything and the other shows are so horrible. Days fans are so used to crap that they flock to mediocre.
The main set on the show is the Dimera's mansion. WTF!
DOOL need to focus back on its good guys. You can only go so far with the bad guys before you end up just going in circles.
The hero is what drives the story. Not the villain that sometimes feels guilty that he did bad.
2 January 2008
17 weeks 4 days
Jamey i dont see eden taking up residence in salem under higley.And i was a huge fan of passions were danica stewart played pure and innocent jessica bennett who turned tricks on the side,Im not a fan of Danica's work.Days is no better than amc.I dont see missy reeves ever comingback to salem.Jamey those good ol days died with our beloved jimmy e reilly
6 March 2009
4 years 4 weeks
DAYS isn't my show (as the name implies
), but I found your ideas to be very insightful and they really reflect what EVERY show should be doing: Focusing on the core families. Forget the fact that it's what viewers want. Forget the fact that character-driven storytelling (basis for all DRAMA, soap or otherwise) emerges from the struggles of core characters rooted in the tapestry of the show; it seems to me the idea of reintroducing characters with history would be EASIER than trying to garner interest in a new character. Again, I don't watch DAYS, but if Higley is as lazy and inept a writer as I hear, then why would she or any of the other "bad show" writers not take the aforementioned approach. And while I realize that some core characters who have returned are often hastily written in, Higley and others could save valuable time (precious thing in the soap world these days) by simply doing a little research and finding a previous character that fits the particular archetype he or she has conceptualized. Jamey, can you help me understand the mentality of writers like Higley?
29 November 2008
2 weeks 1 day
WOOHOOO!!!!!
Jamey you are the man Bill Bell would be proud, this is the version of Days I'd love to watch. Bringing the Hortons back is a dream I have been harbouring for a long time, I love the DiMeras but am willing to sacrifice them for the Hortons returning to the canvas. If I ever find a genie Jamey I wish that you become Days' new head writer.
8 February 2009
3 years 35 weeks
Jamey you are amazing. Incorporating the much forgotten Sara/Neil/Maggie twist into today's show would be nothing short of brilliant. I agree with every thing you have said. Unfortunately, I think it is way too intelligent and sharp for NBC to air.
25 February 2009
3 years 31 weeks
Your version of Salem just flat out rocks and reminds me why I ever loved Days of our Lives in the first place. Its such a shame that Dena Higley has an entire fantasy world with such lush beautiful history at her fingers but still goes with garbage. It's to hard to even watch anymore not to mention depressing I see a whole treasure trove of actors who are more then capable of pulling off great material being forced to pull off one stupid obvious act after another.
Why aren't you the head writer? Days needs a decent head writer with great ideas.
2 March 2009
40 weeks 4 days
I know these words have really lost their affect, but it's much better than we're seeing on our screens. The original Mickey was the only Mickey for me, so I'm fine with him going. The rest is gold as well. Higley seems to like stealing people's ideas. Wish she'd steal some of yours.
Looking forward to part two.
By the way Jamey, what are your thoughts on a story surrounding Nick's release from prison?
15 February 2009
2 years 26 weeks
woah! thats a Days i can get down with lol! i love all these ideas!! but i would miss ER as Bianca
27 January 2008
2 years 31 weeks
Great work Jamey, I've wanted an Alice funeral to bring the Hortons back to town, but this Mickey storyline would work very well. All the returns are great and castings like Ben Masters to play Bill would be fantastic. The whole thing is great.
If Jeremy retuned, I'd like Trevor Donovan to come back. I've never liked any of Days young adult scene, including Chelsea and Nick, but I did actually like Jeremy. If they recast Stephanie with someone like Heidi Mueller and let them create lots of Horton babies I'd be happy. The thought of the future of the Horton family lying in the hands of Sami and Lucas is scary.
Part two, Sami's a bitch again, right? lol
12 February 2008
3 years 41 weeks
I pretty much love everything you've said. I'm sure they could get Melissa Reeves back for Uncle Mickey's funeral. If OLTL could get Nathen Fillion back for Asa's, they could get her. I never understood why they didn't have Abby come back by now. Never thought of bringing back JT and that would be great for him to be Mira's baby's daddy. Love bringing the Horton's front and center. There are so many characters that could be brought back or like you said, aged, to breath new life into Days. The show is downright incestous the way it is now. Max went from this niece (Chelsea) to his other niece (Stephanie) back to his other niece (Chelsea). Can he get a woman who isn't related to him even he was only adopted. Mike was alwasy a great character. And Maggie has proven that she's still a presence on screen and able to add something more than getting people to their tables at her resturant. I really hope that Ken Corday gets a clue and gets rid of Dena and brings someone on who actually cares about Days and it's extremely rich history.
2 March 2009
40 weeks 4 days
No way in Hell should Higley ever write a funeral for Alice Horton. She could never give her the respectful and meaningful exit she deserves. God forbid anything should happen to Frances Reid, I just hope Higley or whoever is trashing the show is out of the picture.
12 February 2008
10 min 10 sec
To hell with that!
Alice Horton should not be killed off until Frances Reid passes in real life (knock on wood). They should give her at least that much respect. Mickey would be better.
30 December 2007
1 year 50 weeks
Well done Jamey - exactly what's been sitting on my mind for a DAYS comeback. I even have names like Marie Horton and Sandy Horton coming back to me. Could this even be DAYS' chance to bring back Nick for good? This could even be Alice Horton's last hurrah on screen. Imagine the possibilities.... I would really enjoy the welcoming return of Melissa, Mike and Sarah, together with Neil and Liz and play out the whole Bill, Laura storyline. Days would not only rate through the roof, but will knock Y&R off it's perch. Guaranteed. Need a gaffer? I'm officially offering my services.
25 August 2008
16 weeks 4 days
I LOVE the idea of Ben Masters as Bill Horton. How inspired! I loved a lot of your ideas for reviving the Hortons. I started watching Days back in 1990, when Jack and Jennifer were the hottest thing on the show, and fell in love with the Horton family. What has happened to them over the past few years is a real travesty (kind of like what has happened to the Quartermaines on GH). I haven't watched Days in months. To be honest, my last day watching was the day John and Marlena left, and I haven't missed it at all. The show had been getting increasingly crappier over two or three years and nothing has interested me at all. I would take 5 Hortons over any Dimeras, to be honest. Why are certain soaps so much more interested in hiring villains than bringing in beloved characters of past? Soaps used to be grounded in warmth and family and there was humor and light along with the dark. But Days, as well as the other soap I have watched for years, GH, are both so grounded in darkness. As a result I have been watching both less and less.