♥ Never Ending Story 2007 ♥ Note on soap magazine publication dates and content of articles/interviews regarding multiple soap stars: Many of the monthly or every other month (and sometimes quarterly) magazines back in the 1980's would be on the newsstands a long time before the date on the actual magazine. We've noticed, for instance, that DAYTIME TV magazine did an interview with Drake in late 1986 about his upcoming wedding, which was scheduled for December 1986, yet the interview didn't appear until the July 1987 issue several months later. Therefore, it might be a bit confusing to read about his "upcoming" wedding in an interview dated July 1987 when you happen to know he was married in December 1986. We've tried to date the articles to match the date on the magazine, regardless of when the events talked about took place. Hopefully it will make sense as you go along! We've also edited some of the articles/interviews to just include John's storyline, since this is a Drake/John website. We've left out comments and sections about other actors or storylines unless they're involved with John's storyline. This too should be very apparent and clear when we've done that so it makes sense and you don't have to skim through a long article to find the "John parts." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

♥ Soaps - The Logan Report... The Fight To Save DAYS: NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly has publicly hinted that he may drop DAYS OF OUR LIVES at the end of its current contract in 2009 - and that has the soap's owner and Executive Producer Ken Corday all fired up. Corday tells me he can legally shop DAYS elsewhere starting September 22 "even though NBC has until March 2008 to decide what it's going to do with the show. I'm a fool if I don't pursue other avenues, be it another network, SOAPNET or syndication. I will do everything I can to keep DAYS alive." That includes getting back to basics. Come summer, DAYS' top heartthrob Drake Hogestyn will emerge from storyline Siberia, :/) as will such egregiously ignored fan faves as Deidre Hall, Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso. Seventies superstars Bill and Susan Hayes will get major face time. We'll finally learn (after twenty-five years) why the DiMeras hate the Bradys. And Corday promises a gotta-watch plot "that will have everyone going, 'Oh, my God, they're doing that?'" Michael Logan, TV GUIDE, 4/9/07 - 4/15/07 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

♥ "Cheated" Star Can't Wait! The News - DAYS' Hogestyn: "I Felt Cheated" Drake Hogestyn (John) has a very important message for all the disgruntled fans out there. The good old DAYS (OF OUR LIVES) are on their way back. "I've been doing a lot of public appearances, and I've been very frustrated with the fans' frustrations," admits Hogestyn. "They are so anxious to get back to the show that they've known and loved for years. I've been encouraging them that we're on the right track." Indeed. Since his character woke from his coma last month, Hogestyn has been working his way back into the thick of the action and says the best is yet to come – namely the long-awaited reveal of the cause of the Brady/DiMera feud. "I'm ecstatic about it. We never got to finish that storyline," notes Hogestyn, referring to the show's initial attempt to tackle it under the head-writing team of Paula Cwikly and Peter Brash in 2003, only to have it abruptly dropped when James E. Reilly returned to the helm. "I felt cheated in a certain respect." With DiMera icon Joseph Mascolo back as Stefano, Hogestyn has great expectations. "I love working with Joe," he praises. "We have a great chemistry and relationship off the show. I couldn't be happier to see the man back. He demands respect and fills the screen. I'm looking for great things to happen. If the story is there, you have the players that can just tear the roof off of this place. I can't say enough about the talent." But DAYS hasn't been taking advantage of some of that talent in recent months, choosing to focus on younger cast members. "They brought minor leaguers up to fill major league roles and found themselves in last place," sums up Hogestyn of DAYS' alarming ratings drop. Now that Hogestyn and company are gearing up for a huge story, he plans to give it his all. "I'm not used to being with a show that's spiraling out of control," admits Hogestyn. "My job is to come out with a sense of urgency and professionalism. That's all I can bring to the table. I'm here to bring the show back up to where it belongs." SOAP OPERA WEEKLY, 6/12/07