Retro FriDAYS: The Actors So Nice, They Cast Them Twice Edition

Just because a character expires doesn’t mean an actor should. That’s presumably why DAYS has been known to recast actors into new parts once their character died off/left Salem/turned into a lemon/whatever. Isn’t it interesting that no one moves to like a suburb of Salem 10 miles away; it’s either in town or around the world? (Or Chicago, but that may as well be Reykjavik.)

Josh Taylor as Chris Kositchek/Roman Brady

Like, whoa.

And if this doesn’t make you smile…

As many of you know, the road in between wasn’t always smooth

Wayne Northrup as Roman Brady/Dr. Alex North

After a long stint portraying Roman Brady aka Marlena’s muse

He returned as Dr. Alex North.

Judi Evans as Adrienne Kiriakis/Bonnie Lockhart

Adrienne’s role has lately been confined to that of a poster PFLAG member (not that there’s anything wrong with that) so it was wild to see Judi Evans letting it all hang out as Ms. Bonnie Lockhart

Tamara Braun as Ava Vitali/Taylor Walker

Ava Vitali was good enough to win a Daytime Emmy http://youtu.be/w42V5rodiG8, but everyone hated Taylor, right?

Ian Buchanan as Ian McAlister/Lord Sheraton

Yes, his run as Ian McAlister has been forgettable, thanks largely to plot lines that make no sense. But this was even more obscure.

Thanks to all of you who helped with this entry! (And if you can find any videos of John Callahan as Tyler Malone or Artie Doyle please link in the comments.)

SPOILER ALERT: Cast Comings and Goings

As reported by Soap Opera Digest, Molly Burnett (aka Melanie) will be leaving the show now that her contract is up. I know people have strong feelings about Melanie in both directions, but I am personally a fan. I don’t love her smile crying, but I enjoyed watching the bad girl turn good, even if sometimes it was gee golly goody two shoes good. Here’s hoping Molly is successful in her future ventures. We’ll miss her!

In “I don’t really care either way” news, Ian Buchanan (aka Ian McCallister) will also be exiting (as again reported by Soap Opera Digest). Ian was easy to love to hate, with his creepy skulking about like an undertaker. I don’t think they ever really figured him out, or how to fit him into Salem, or how to explain away his marriage to Madison. But for me there are only two bad guys worth anything: Stefano and Victor. Ian was just a bump in the road, and he wasn’t really on the show long enough for me to develop strong feelings either way. But of course Ian Buchanan is a veteran and we wish him the best in his next role.

Is Kate Crazy?!?!

I am a Stefano fan. I don’t like his murdering and whatnot, but I can’t help but root for him against some of the holier than thou Salemites, and he amuses me. And, like EJ, he has some of that “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help but find you charming” vibe. Plus if you cross him, you pay, so I would prefer not to cross him.

And this is his calm and collected face.

Until yesterday, I thought Kate had really fallen for Stefano. Until yesterday, I also thought Kate wasn’t an idiot. I like Kate too… when she isn’t murdering (or trying to murder) and whatnot.

Ian is a different story. Even though I could care less about Madison, Ian has been a raging ahole since he came to town. That’s no surprise. But Ian is also gross. He has none of the Stefano & EJ (and even Victor) bad guy charm. He is like a mortician with a stick up his bum.

I'm sorry, a mortician with a stick up his bum and an OUTRAGEOUS robe.

So can someone please explain to me why Kate would betray her doesnt-take-disloyalty-lightly husband with Creeps McGee? Anyone? Crickets? That’s what I thought. It makes no sense.

Oh Ian, I love your... your... hold on, I'll think of something.

If this comes down to a war between Stefano and Kate/Ian, I am on team Stefano. Kate gave up her marriage and possibly her life as a free woman to have a fling with the grim reaper, and now she is going to have to reap what she sews.