'Days of Our Lives' Canceled? Show At Risk Of Ending In 2017, Key People Already Warned Of Series' Fate? [VIDEO]
A big rumor is sure to shake up fans of Days of Our Lives, with reports circulating more than ever that the 51-year-old soap could soon join the likes of soaps like Passions and become a thing of the past.
Following news that Megyn Kelly would be leaving Fox News behind to join NBC, rumors have circulated that the network is considering axing the long-running soap-the only one left on the channel-in favor of a show for her, and that key members of both the cast and crew have already been warned that the series wouldn't continue beyond 2017, and their days are "numbered."
"Basically, we've heard that there won't be a Days in 2018," a source told People.
The show has been given year-to-year renewals recently, and the show's current contract only carries them through 2017, which makes the news of Kelly's move more worrisome for the show. Kelly's official role as not yet been determined, but there is a chance she could be given a daytime news show of her own, and the 1-2 p.m. slot Days occupies would be a prime slot to give her the show.
However, there is a chance she will actually join the Today Show instead, though nothing has been set in stone.
"Nobody knows when Megyn starts. She is still under contract at Fox until July, then she has a six-month non-compete clause," the source said. "Nobody knows what she is going to be doing. There is so much that has to still be arranged. It's definitely not like she's starting on the Today show Monday morning!"
If the decision was to cancel Days in favor of a Kelly headlined show, it wouldn't be the first time soap operas were axed in favor of daytime talk show formats. ABC canceled All My Children and One Life To Live back in 2011 after 41 and 43 years respectively, in favor of the cheaper to produce The Chew (which became a hit for the network), and The Revolution, which was short-lived. ABC also moved General Hospital to a new time slot as well to pave way for the also eventually-canceled Katie Couric talk show, Katie.
Daytime soap operas have dwindled significantly in numbers in less than a decade on all three of the major networks. NBC had previously canceled Another World in 1999 after 35 years, and Passions in 2007 after eight years. CBS also canceled Guiding Light in 2009 after 57 years and As The World Turns in 2010 after 54 years.
In addition to Days of Our Lives, ABC's General Hospital and CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless are the only remaining daytime soap operas.
