The Best Soap Opera Is Stopping Over Major Controversy
Days of Our Lives is on pause because of allegations centered around producer and director Albert Alarr
Days of Our Lives is one of the longest-running soap operas in history. The series, which moved from airing on NBC to Peacock in 2022, is now on hiatus amid an investigation of misconduct in the workplace. Deadline reported that the unplanned production halt is expected to last for one week.
Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Sony conducted an investigation into the production, initially to address gender inequality in representation and pay. The soap reportedly employs only one regular female director, with several male directors doing most of the helming throughout the week, with a significant pay gap between male and female cast members to boot.
The Days of Our Lives investigation centers on co-executive producer and director Alber Alarr.
Sony’s investigation evolved after receiving several complaints against Days of Our Lives co-executive producer and director Alber Alarr. Allegations of verbal abuse, inappropriate comments, and even groping and forceful kissing have emerged against Alarr from several members of the show’s cast and crew over the years.
Alarr began working on Days of Our Lives in 2003. He has long been praised for his creative work on the show, but his behavior reportedly took a turn for the worse when he became a co-executive producer in 2015. As the Corday Productions executive producers came around less and less, Alarr’s power became unilateral.
Allegations imply that Alarr abused that power, fostering a culture of fear, abuse, and inappropriate language that has made the cast and crew on Days of Our Lives uncomfortable for a long time.
Many of the stories about Alarr point to his beratement of actors, particularly women. His handling of romantic moments and sex scenes on set have been said to be especially tactless, often leaving actors humiliated. His language, which cast and crew have said they were forced to get used to, has been described as frat house talk.
One Days of Our Lives actress even accused Albert Alarr of forcibly kissing her after an awards event. Alleged incidents such as these have, in the opinion of many longtimers on the show, ruined the beloved soap opera. Alarr’s behavior has driven many cast members away, and his tyrannical approach keeps those who stay working in fear.
One Days of Our Lives actress even accused Albert Alarr of forcibly kissing her after an awards event.
Corday Pictures released the following statement: “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.” While details have remained murky on the grounds of confidentiality, the steps taken seem to include Respect training for Alarr.
Days of Our Lives Is Also Being Affected By The Strikes
The training feels like a slap on the wrist compared to the allegations levied against Alarr, and the cast and crew of Days of Our Lives have voiced their concern about the director returning to work so soon. Now, the entire group will have a few days of reprieve.
The Days of Our Lives hiatus is fueled in part by the WGA writers’ strike. The show still employs a small team of non-union and fi-core WGA writers, with Alarr now contributing scripts as well. Even Alarr’s wife came on to write for the show back in March, much to the bewilderment of the show’s cast and crew.
With the usual writers out of the room, the daily show has fallen behind on scripts, forcing the hiatus. The situation is a swirl of burdening factors for Days of Our Lives, and now the toxicity taking its toll on the set is making its way to viewers.
Days of Our Lives began its historic run back in 1965. Since then, it has cemented itself as a daytime television staple. In 2022, the show made a landmark move to streaming when it shifted from its longtime home on NBC to its new spot on Peacock. The series is expected to stay dark at least until August 7.
