For Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie) of Days of our Lives, the upcoming 50th anniversary of the show means many fond and special moments along with memories, and a walk that takes them down memory lane.
When you hear the names Bill and Susan, or their characters Doug and Julie, the first thing that pops into one's mind is "Television Royalty." They are icons and not to mention that back in 1976 they were so hot that both of them made the cover of Time Magazine. The first time daytime actors ever to appear on the cover.
"Who would of thought? "We were shocked, but at the same time very excited," said both of the Hayes'. "I, along with my wife, were thrilled when the magazine asked us, and we both still treasure that very special moment."
The Hayes' keep the treasured magazine cover in a frame on the wall of their home. The cover of Time was put on a plaque and given to them by Joseph Behar (Director of Days) as a gift and remembrance.
"Time did a beautiful story. Without a doubt it was so well written. I love it!," said Bill Hayes. "Not only was the story remarkable, I love the picture. It is beautiful. To say the least. And the red dress that Susan is wearing is fabulous. I still remember her trying to pick out the right dress," he said with a laugh. "I also remember us running to the store looking for the magazine, because they ran it quite a while after the interview. Susan and I were like where is it!!!!"
Days of our Lives will always remain special to Bill and Susan Hayes. After all...it is the show where their characters fell in love and it would be appropriate in saying, life imitated art.
"I'm the one that fell in love with Bill," Susan said. "It was like the minute I saw him I knew."
Bill jokingly interceded and said that he was just coming off a divorce and wanted to takes things slowly, but Susan is and was just such a remarkable lady, "I have no regrets."
The Hayes married in 1974. On the show, their characters were married twice. In fact, Bill Hayes said when they married on the show, they had chosen the same words used in their real-life wedding, and were asked to do so by the powers that be.
Susan Hayes said that she and Bill have no children together, but he has children from his first marriage, and the are swimming with grandchildren and great grandchildren, and she is overjoyed.
Susan Hayes is also the only actress to appear on Days of our Lives every decade since the inception of the show. Bill Hayes has been with the show since 1970.
The Hayes both recall working with the late Frances Reid (Alice) and MacDonald Carey (Tom), saying the show was built around Mac. (Incidentally Carey's voice is still used in the show's opening).
"They were special and would be so proud of the upcoming 50th. Mac was successful in films and radio before Days and Frances was a gem," Susan Hayes said. "You know, we travel extensively and back in the day wherever we would go people wanted to know about Frances. It was always 'How is Alice? "I must say, she was everyone's grandmother. The whole country fell in love with both of them. Mac was a charming delight and Frances was a perfectionist and would tell it like it is. She raised the bar to the highest level. Everyone loved her."
Bill Hays recalls the days gone by, saying "They were magical." He has so many fond memories he was at a loss where to begin. Looking back at Days of our Lives, he begins to reminisce.
"I loved the days when I owned Doug's Place On The Lake, my nightclub. We had a piano, there was music, great singers like Gloria Loring (Liz and real-life mom to Robin Thicke) and Patty Weaver (Trish), oh those were the days," he said. "It was entertainment. The audience loved it. I sang popular songs, but back then the royalties to the artist were a few hundred dollars. Today it would be twenty thousand, so of course that is gone."
Susan Hayes said the show years ago was more emotional. There were more pages of script of emotional dialogue. The stories today have much impact, but less emotional dialog. The show moves fast.
Eight to ten shows a week are shot, with three weeks working and the fourth off. You go in, you do the camera block and shoot. There is no time for rehearsal and you must be prepared, or you will not survive.
"I believe it is much different today, but yet there is a class act show on TV, and every year new generations love us," Susan Hayes said. "The show is different in terms of the way it is run. I believe and know that the production staff works twice as hard as years past, and the product must be completed by 5 PM with no overtime. I also want to say that the actors today are doing a marvelous job. Days of our Lives is a well-oiled machine."
When the Hayes' get a break from the soap opera world, they are usually traveling. "Yes! I want everyone to know that Bill and I are world class travelers. We love cruises," Susan Hayes said. "Bill is also a music buff, and we both love theater spending countless hours of doing what we love."
Soapdom wants to know if Bill and Susan, two of daytime's icons, have a message to their thousands of adoring fans? "Well! (Laughing) "We just both want to say to the wonderful viewers that have been with us through thick and thin that we love you. You are family. As for the show and the upcoming 50th, you must hang on to your seats and hats and there is great, satisfying, and exciting stuff about to take place. Stay glued! It will be the ride of a lifetime."
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