With the Alice Horton tribute about to air on "Days of our Lives," I wanted to take the time to talk to a few of the actors about what it was like reuniting with some of the returning actors, as well as sharing what viewers can expect from the show in upcoming days. My first interview was with the very talented Susan and Bill Hayes, who play Doug and Julie.
Days Insider: What has it been like reuniting with some of the actors returning to the show?
Susan: It's been wonderful. We had a moment when Ken Corday was on the stage, and he had been watching the scenes being filmed. He's usually not on the set, but this time he was. He begin snapping photos of all of us, and the more photos he took, the more actors gathered around to be in his photos. Ken kind of felt like a dad taking a photo of all his kids. It was a sentimental and emotional moment.
Bill: This whole experience, which has now been 40 years for me is like a family. It may be cliché to say, but it really is a second family. To have all of these actors back for the memorial, it's like seeing some of the closest people in your life. So many wonderful characters back on the show, it was great to see. I love the fact the writers brought them back for this special tribute.
Days Insider: What are fans going to get from this very touching Alice tribute that was filmed for Days?
Susan: I have one key fan that lives next to me and we run into each other about once a week. And she told me she was in tears from just watching the promo. I think it's going to be very satisfying for the viewer. It will be emotional and uplifting. We could not have done it in a more tasteful way than it has been done. We were all very pleased with the final outcome.
Bill: The fans will eat this up. This memorial was done so emotionally and tastefully well. Reminds me of when McDonald Carey passed away and we did a tribute to him and when different characters were talking about Dr. Tom Horton, we really were talking about McDonald. These instances, when the characters are talking about Alice Horton, we, as actors are really talking about Frances Reid. Actors are emotional people, but when you do a show, you work with someone for a few weeks or months, but in daytime, you work with these people for years. I spent 40 years with Frances Reid; you can't help talk about Alice Horton, without thinking Frances. I look forward to seeing the final product on screen. I know they've selected some great older scenes; I just can't wait to see which ones.
Days Insider: You can really see the type of bond you and Kristian have on screen. Are you two just as close off screen?
Bill: There's a strong bond between Kristian and me. She's as close to me as a daughter. I have three daughters and I've always considered Kristian my fourth. In addition, she's an incredible actress. With these recent scenes she's shooting, it hurts to watch. She's so good and to watch her play Hope going through so much pain, it hurts to watch. It pains me as a father to watch what she's going through.
Days Insider: Are you just as close with the cast off the set as you are on the set?
Susan: Kristian Alfonso and Suzanne Rodgers and I are very close. Bill (Hayes) bonded with Kristian almost immediately from day one. The upcoming scenes we have together really show our closeness. Suzanne and I have been shoulder to shoulder on the show for almost 30 years now. We have shared so much in our private life and with the life on the show. We have a very unspoken, deep, sisterly relationship. There is so much mutual respect for one another.
Days Insider: Has there been a memorable storyline you've worked on?
Susan: When my character had her face burned and she divorced Doug because she felt so hideous. I enjoyed those experiences working with Doug as crime solvers. I loved that. It was so much fun.
I hope you enjoyed my interview with the always entertaining Susan and Bill Hayes. What great memories they both must share of working with the talented Frances Reid. Now, feel free to share some of your favorite Grandma Alice moments.
Days Insider: What has it been like reuniting with some of the actors returning to the show?
Susan: It's been wonderful. We had a moment when Ken Corday was on the stage, and he had been watching the scenes being filmed. He's usually not on the set, but this time he was. He begin snapping photos of all of us, and the more photos he took, the more actors gathered around to be in his photos. Ken kind of felt like a dad taking a photo of all his kids. It was a sentimental and emotional moment.
Bill: This whole experience, which has now been 40 years for me is like a family. It may be cliché to say, but it really is a second family. To have all of these actors back for the memorial, it's like seeing some of the closest people in your life. So many wonderful characters back on the show, it was great to see. I love the fact the writers brought them back for this special tribute.
Days Insider: What are fans going to get from this very touching Alice tribute that was filmed for Days?
Susan: I have one key fan that lives next to me and we run into each other about once a week. And she told me she was in tears from just watching the promo. I think it's going to be very satisfying for the viewer. It will be emotional and uplifting. We could not have done it in a more tasteful way than it has been done. We were all very pleased with the final outcome.
Bill: The fans will eat this up. This memorial was done so emotionally and tastefully well. Reminds me of when McDonald Carey passed away and we did a tribute to him and when different characters were talking about Dr. Tom Horton, we really were talking about McDonald. These instances, when the characters are talking about Alice Horton, we, as actors are really talking about Frances Reid. Actors are emotional people, but when you do a show, you work with someone for a few weeks or months, but in daytime, you work with these people for years. I spent 40 years with Frances Reid; you can't help talk about Alice Horton, without thinking Frances. I look forward to seeing the final product on screen. I know they've selected some great older scenes; I just can't wait to see which ones.
Days Insider: You can really see the type of bond you and Kristian have on screen. Are you two just as close off screen?
Bill: There's a strong bond between Kristian and me. She's as close to me as a daughter. I have three daughters and I've always considered Kristian my fourth. In addition, she's an incredible actress. With these recent scenes she's shooting, it hurts to watch. She's so good and to watch her play Hope going through so much pain, it hurts to watch. It pains me as a father to watch what she's going through.
Days Insider: Are you just as close with the cast off the set as you are on the set?
Susan: Kristian Alfonso and Suzanne Rodgers and I are very close. Bill (Hayes) bonded with Kristian almost immediately from day one. The upcoming scenes we have together really show our closeness. Suzanne and I have been shoulder to shoulder on the show for almost 30 years now. We have shared so much in our private life and with the life on the show. We have a very unspoken, deep, sisterly relationship. There is so much mutual respect for one another.
Days Insider: Has there been a memorable storyline you've worked on?
Susan: When my character had her face burned and she divorced Doug because she felt so hideous. I enjoyed those experiences working with Doug as crime solvers. I loved that. It was so much fun.
I hope you enjoyed my interview with the always entertaining Susan and Bill Hayes. What great memories they both must share of working with the talented Frances Reid. Now, feel free to share some of your favorite Grandma Alice moments.
