— Days of our Lives fans were in for shock at the end of Friday’s (Jan. 8) episode as Hope (Kristian Alfonso) confronted Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) over Bo’s (Peter Reckell) captivity and shot the man responsible for her longtime love dead.
Alfonso took to Twitter to discuss the scenes with Mascolo, “They were very difficult to shoot. I will miss working with Joe, love him, loved working with him. Thaao Penghlis, who recently returned as Andre, shared “My many memories of Joe Mascolo. We came from the same classes and gave the DiMera’s a life. The saga continues.” Co-head writer Dena Higley tweeted: “Love to namedrop. John Houseman taught me acting. Charles Walters taught me directing. Joe Mascolo taught me class. Love U Joe!”
Mascolo appeared as Stefano on and off since 1982.
— Coming up on next week on Days of our Lives: Hope (Kristian Alfonso) confesses to murder on the Jan. 18 episode while Victor’s (John Aniston) comes back to haunt him as Vincent Irizarry joins the cast as Deimos Kiriakis. The following day, John (Drake Hogestyn) comes face-to-face with his mother. Shawn (Brandon Beemer) returns to Salem at Claire’s (Olivia Rose Keegan) request. Andre (Thaao Penghlis) makes a disturbing discovery at the mansion on Wednesday (Jan. 20). Belle (Martha Madison) is tempted when Shawn admits that he’d like to give their marriage another chance, despite her trip to Las Vegas with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) on Friday (Jan. 22).
— Former DAYS star (and current Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member) Lisa Rinna revealed that she’ll be shooting a new NBC-produced but syndicated talk show that will also feature Party of Five’s Scott Wolf, R&B singer Kelis (of “Milkshakes” fame) and comedian Al Jackson.
— Coming up next week on The Bold and the Beautiful: Sasha (Felisha Cooper) finds out the real reason why Rick (Jacob Young) retracted the offer to be Forrester model on Monday (Jan. 18). The following day, Zende (Rome Flynn) learns from Sasha about Nicole’s (Reign Edwards) malicious side. Miscommunication results in damaging Liam (Scott Clifton) and Steffy’s (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) relationship on Wednesday (Jan. 20). On the Thursday (Jan. 21) episode, look for Bill (Don Diamont) and Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) to try to keep their distance from each other at work. Quinn (Rena Sofer) is concealing a huge secret on Friday (Jan. 22).
— Good news Avant family fans: Anna Maria Horsford and Obba Babtundé are back as Vivienne and Julius on Jan. 18 and 19.
— Coming up next week on General Hospital: Valerie (Brytni Sarpy) finds herself in a life-threatening situation on Monday (Jan. 18). Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) confesses to Sam (Kelly Monaco) about her problems at school. Johnny (Brandon Barash) is apprehended by the PCPD on Tuesday (Jan. 19). Robert (Tristan Rogers) introduces Anna (Finola Hughes) to a familiar face. Anna, Robert and Andre (Anthony Montgomery) piece together Carlos (Jeffrey Vincent Parise) and Sabrina (Teresa Castillo)’s location on Wednesday (Jan. 20). Liz (Rebecca Herbst) balks at the idea of having Sam investigate the ominous occurrence at her house while Hayden (Rebecca Budig) is torn by her feelings for Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) on Thursday (Jan. 21). Jason (Billy Miller) has a significant memory on Friday (Jan. 22) while Laura (Genie Francis) encourages Lulu (Emme Rylan) to fight for her marriage.
— Now this is a step in the right direction: The Young and the Restless has hired British producer Mal Young, who has overseen production at a number of UK hits including EastEnders, The Bill, Doctors, Casualty and Holby City.
— This week on The Young and the Restless, Jason Thompson debuts as Billy Abbott:
Andre is helping Robert and Anna. This show is so pathetic. The constant propping of newbie characters by legacy characters is a crime really. Why is a psychiatrist helping 2 spies/Secret agents solve a crime?