Deidre Hall to Julia Roberts: ‘Come to Salem, Babe!’
Days of Our Lives: Celebrity Fans, 50 Years of Drama, and an Open Invitation for Julia Roberts
The Latest Celebrity Buzz Around Salem
"Days of Our Lives"—the iconic daytime soap opera that has been on TV for over 50 years—is getting some serious A-list attention lately. Think of it like the cool kids’ table at lunch suddenly wanting to sit with the show’s longtime stars.
Who’s Visiting Salem Recently?
- Ryan Gosling – The "Barbie" and "La La Land" star has publicly said he loves the show, but according to Deidre Hall, "he has yet to come" visit the set.
- John Oliver – The comedian and host of "Last Week Tonight" just started a three-episode guest arc starting Tuesday. He previously popped up on another soap, "General Hospital."
- Julia Roberts – The Oscar-winning actress is a huge fan, and Deidre Hall has officially invited her to come by anytime.
Important Callout
It’s John Oliver, not Jon Oliver! The article originally had a small typo. The correct spelling is John Oliver—the British-American comedian famous for his deep-dive comedy news show.
Deidre Hall: The Queen of Salem
Deidre Hall isn’t just an actress on the show—she IS the show’s history. She has played Dr. Marlena Evans for 50 years (celebrating her golden anniversary in June 2024).
Why She Loves Her Job
- She doesn’t have to audition every few years like most actors
- The writers, directors, and audience all know Marlena deeply
- She calls it a "special kind of privilege" to play a character this long
- She still loves what she does every single day
Marlena’s Wild Ride: 50 Years of Storylines
Marlena Evans has been through everything you can imagine on a soap opera:
- Demonic possession (yes, really—this was a famous 1990s storyline)
- Multiple kidnappings
- Romances, betrayals, and family dramas
- Countless medical crises (she’s a psychiatrist, after all)
What Deidre Wants Next for Marlena
After 50 years, Hall has a fresh idea inspired by her real-life twin sister (who is a special education teacher):
"Marlena has not been disabled, and 50 years you’d think at some point she would have fallen out a flight of stairs, or lost her hearing, or lost her sight, or something."
Her dream storyline: Marlena treats a hearing-impaired patient, and the audience gets to see sign language on screen.
Important Callout
Deidre Hall knows sign language in real life! She learned it alongside her twin sister when her sister had a young deaf student in her class and needed to communicate with them. Hall thinks sign language is "a beautiful, beautiful thing" and wants to share that beauty with viewers.
John Oliver: The Newest Salem Resident
The comedian is thrilled to be there. According to Hall:
- He was "adorable and easy to work with"
- Zero hesitation—he wanted to be part of the gang
- The cast "appreciates his comedy and his history"
- He previously appeared on "General Hospital" (another famous soap opera)
New to "Days of Our Lives"? Don’t Be Scared!
With thousands of episodes over five decades, the show might feel intimidating to jump into. But Deidre Hall says don’t worry!
The Show’s Simple Secret Formula
Think of Salem like a small town with two main families:
- The Hortons – One core family
- The Bradys – The other core family
The Relatable Mix
- Rich people (in the big mansion)
- Working-class folks (down by the chowder place by the river)
- Young love stories (always happening)
- High drama (but grounded in real emotions)
Important Callout
You don’t need to watch 50 years of episodes to understand what’s happening! Hall promises: "I think our show allows people to catch up pretty quickly… I know that one story will yank you in, and that’s give us a couple of episodes. We’ll pull you in. We’ll find something you want to see more of."
How to Watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Show | Days of Our Lives |
| Schedule | Monday through Friday |
| Platform | Peacock (NBC’s streaming service) |
| Social | Follow @WeArePauseRewind on Instagram for pop culture updates |
Summary
- "Days of Our Lives" is attracting major celebrities like Ryan Gosling, John Oliver, and Julia Roberts
- Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) celebrates 50 years on the show
- Hall invites Julia Roberts to guest star anytime
- John Oliver begins a three-episode arc starting Tuesday
- Hall wants to see Marlena work with a hearing-impaired patient to showcase sign language
- New viewers welcome! The show is designed to be easy to jump into
- Watch weekdays on Peacock
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Do I need to watch from the beginning to understand the show?
Nope! The show is designed so new viewers can catch up quickly. Think of it like joining a conversation at a party—you’ll get the gist within a couple of episodes.
Is John Oliver playing himself or a character?
He’s playing a character in a three-episode story arc (not himself), similar to his previous guest spot on "General Hospital."
Has Julia Roberts responded to the invitation?
Not yet! As of this article, we’re still waiting to see if she’ll take Deidre Hall up on the offer to visit Salem.
Why does Deidre Hall want a sign language storyline?
Her twin sister is a special education teacher who had a deaf student. Hall learned sign language to support her sister, and she thinks it’s beautiful and important for TV audiences to see.
Where can I watch "Days of Our Lives" now?
It airs Monday through Friday on Peacock (NBC’s streaming platform). It moved there from NBC broadcast TV in 2022.
Follow @WeArePauseRewind on Instagram for more pop culture deep dives and celebrity interviews!