If there is any chance of saving Days of Our Lives from cancellation in 2009, it will be because of the show’s brave move to kill off its main hero, John Black (if he’s really dead — many fans refuse to believe that the soap isn’t pulling our legs once again).
Firing Drake Hogestyn (John), arguably the most popular leading man in the soap’s history, was the most shocking news event this past year, but it has catapulted Deidre Hall back to the front burner where she belongs.
As her character Marlena Evans Black mourns the love of her life, Hall has inspiringly delivered a subtle yet powerful and heart-wrenching performance as the grieving, revenge-seeking widow — one that many are hailing as her best yet.
The Floridian beauty has typically avoided submitting her name for Emmy consideration, but will she do so this year? More important, what’s Marlena’s big new storyline that kicks off in December? Read on to find out in our exclusive interview with one of daytime’s most beautiful, classiest, and talented stars.
TV Guide: I know you were disappointed that your longtime co-star Drake Hogestyn [John] was fired, but you must be digging the great material John’s shocking death has provided you as an actor.
Deidre Hall: I love that we got to play something with substance, and most importantly, that John’s death was given the weight and respect it deserved.
TVG: I’m assuming you were shocked when you heard Drake was fired.
DH: [Pauses awkwardly for a few moments] Yes, it was a shock.
TVG: Any way you can tease my readers on Marlena’s big upcoming storyline?
DH: I’m not terribly clear myself, but I believe I’m playing Jodie Foster, à la The Brave One: I’m out for the man who killed my man. And, of course, any kind of revenge story is great to play as an actor. Marlena’s quietly and fiercely empowered — and since she has nothing to lose, she has enormous strength.
TVG: Days feels very different these, er, days — is it because of new co-executive producer Ed Scott’s influence?
DH: I don’t know who exactly is responsible, but my suspicion is it’s all Ed Scott, who has come in with great ideas and enormous energy. His first great idea was to change the lighting on the show. While it may seem superficial — and maybe it is — when you know you look good, you have the courage to do more and try more and [concentrate on the acting instead of hitting all these marks so you are lit properly and don’t block someone else’s lighting].
Also, when you make a change in the look of the show, it gets the audience’s attention. In regards to storyline, the audience then can focus on what’s happening instead of how bad things look, [which distracts fans, in my opinion].
TVG: John just passed away, but has headwriter Hogan Sheffer already lined up a new love interest for you?
DH: I’m one of these people who don’t want to know and rarely ask because I love being surprised. [However], I’ve had no indication that there’s a love interest on the horizon. At this juncture, Marlena’s out for revenge and getting even with Stefano. Joe Mascolo [Stefano] and I did a wonderful, wonderful scene last week when Marlena tried to save Sami [from this marriage to EJ]. Marlena point-blank asks Stefano, ‘What will it take to end this feud?’ He answers, ‘It will take having you, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.’ The Brady-DiMera war is historically based on his love for Marlena, if I do say so myself.
TVG: I agree! Colleen and Santo who? I personally hated that revisionist history — Stefano’s obsession with Marlena more than explains this war.
DH: Well, apparently, that dynamic will be revisited. It’s the black widow effect: a fly caught in the spider’s web. Stefano’s the one she’s after, and vice versa. Stefano’s a moth to a flame — he can’t look away from her. We're going to see an interesting struggle between two people and a fight to the death.
TVG: Wowza — now that I’ll watch! It’s a story that I’ve been waiting to see played out for eons. It’s totally in character that Marlena would sacrifice herself to end this silly, violent feud.
DH: Marlena has nothing to lose now. Her kids are all grown up and taken care of. She’s lost her husband, the love of her life. It’s highly logical.
TVG: So here’s the million dollar question: after years of not submitting yourself for Emmy consideration, will you this year — especially now that you have the material to win? Fans and critics are dying to know.
DH: You know I haven’t for years, and it’s not that I haven’t been nominated, I’ve kept myself out of the race for years. I’m completely flattered regarding the Emmy buzz, but it’s such an energy black hole. I’m happy and peaceful knowing that Days is the best show on daytime, and has the most beautiful and talented people on TV.
Unfortunately, it’s always tragically overlooked on Emmy nomination day because it’s a numbers game. And I want the audience to know that we’re slighted on Emmy day because the Academy is compromised of actors on each show, and actors on each soap vote for their network — and now NBC only has one soap opera, Days, so we don’t have a chance. Networks with four soaps are going to dominate — end of story. It’s not going to happen for us. I refuse to waste my energy hoping that some kind of miracle happens. I’d rather move on with life than chasing some impossible dream.
TVG: You’re so well-loved and respected that other Academy members, who are aware of your Emmy-worthy performance this season, could easily check off your name. If anyone stands a chance on your soap, it’s you!
DH: It’s not going to happen, but thank you for the lovely support and kind words.
TVG: It’s a shame, because everyone has upped their game during John’s death — and the ratings keep increasing after Days plummeted to last place for the first time in history.
DH: The ratings went up again today! Killing off John, and bringing that infamous death-bed scene to daytime has made our show turn the corner. Everyone on that death bed did the best work of their careers.
TVG: If John’s dead-dead … you know Days has an integrity problem when it comes to people flat-lining; everyone has come back from the dead at one point or another. I have to ask: you’ve mourned a million dead husbands over the years, how did you manage to keep it fresh and new this time around? To me, thanks in large part to you, it feels like John is dead.
DH: I keep it new because I don’t read ahead. Every writer brings something new to the party — and the plot twists help keep it fresh. Also, I never think of the past or future when I act, I’m always in that moment, so for me it’s happening for the first time.
TVG: NBC inferred that Days may not be renewed in 2009 — are you worried about the show’s future, and daytime’s in general?
DH: Daytime is suffering, as we are. We’re in a time when the audience is finally being heard: they want [traditional, character-driven storylines]. [Executive producer] Ken [Corday] and Hogan are returning to the heart and soul of soaps.
TVG: Would you ever leave Days to return to prime time TV?
DH: No! I’m still happy where I am. My career on Days allows me to have chunks of time off, a wonderful life, and an opportunity to play a great character all at the same time. Thanks to Days, I get to spend time with my friends, family, and children. I have the best of all possible worlds. And I have no need to rock that boat.
Published: Thursday, November 8, 2007
