Zeit der Sehnsucht

I have watched sporadic episodes of DOOL since 1966 - yeah! I'm THAT old....funny thing is, MacDonald Carey was getting-on on even then! Tuned-in perhaps to every four hundred episodes on average (I admit to having a dry spell when ABBA were big - missed every episode from 1972 to 1979) the next time I caught the thing, in a doctor's surgery - while my wife was waiting to have an ultra-sound, it seemed to me nothing had changed. Now call me picky, but any show you can pick-up on having missed way more than 1000 episodes has to be something less than enthralling entertainment.

What IS it's fascination? Who knows? probably different things to different people, but I imagine its core devotees simply get their fix artificially enhancing their own plebeian existences by living through and sharing the fantasy lives of their chosen characters. Not that different really to peering over your neighbor's fence to find something else to talk about to "Doris" across the road! In terms of artistic merit, DOOL doesn't crack the big time. In terms of staying power, yeah, ya gotta admire the thing.

Why are all of the main characters leaving the show? This seems to be a"thing" that the writers do every few years when they can't figure out how to move a story line from point A to point B. However, with so many leaving ,ie Gabi and Rafe, Will and Sonny. Now, suddenly Eric decides to go to Africa and we are still wondering if we will actually find Ciara! We have gotten the old new Abby back again, which I think is a good move! But we know that we will soon be loosing Hope. We have no good story lines for the, forgive me, younger set. Ben and Ciara were the Hope and Beau of this generation but .... Chad and Abby are always good together! But without Gabi... Hope without Rafe... All we are left with is A raging John and the long suffering Marlena! Please! The writers need help! Desperately!

Days of Our Lives is yes, a little silly at times, but i find it addicting. I started watching during Christmas break of my sophomore year and now, a 47 year old woman, i still find the show irresistible. At times the story lines can become a little far-fetched (ex. the Salem Stalker) but that's why i turn the show on everyday. It gives me a break from reality and lets me explore a completely different world. Some may find it a little bit silly, but that makes it all the more exciting. If you want to watch Days of our Lives, I say start now because there's a lot to learn. This show has been running since 1965 and I've loved every minute of it.

I have watched the days of our lives since I was ten years old. I admit that some of the story lines are completely outlandish, like the one about eight years back about Marlena getting possessed by Satan, but for some unknown reason, I cant stop watching this show. The love for this show seems to be an epidemic in my high school as well, among both guys and girls. I never really watched a soap opera before this one, except for Another World. The show's contract with NBC comes under review in 2004. Myself, as well as many other diehard Days fans, are holding their breath praying that they renew it.

Chester's Rating: ********/10

I have watched this excellent soap/serial steadily since 1981 and occasionally before that back to around 1968. It was good before the appearance of Stefano in 1981, but since then has really distinguished itself quite well. The longevity of the characters is terrific! It is sometimes very predictable, sometimes throws you for a loop. It has had extremely outstanding acting through the years. My one wish is that they bring back Kayla & Patch to bring closure to the open ending they were thrust into a few years back. I would even like it more if Patch were teamed with the ORIGINAL Kayla, Catherine Mary Stewart, who was always one of my very favorite actresses!!! Keep on truckin, DOOL.