'Ladies of the Lake' Now Streaming on Amazon

Ladies of the Lake, the much-anticipated digital four-part mini-series featuring an all-star soap opera cast, is now streaming on Amazon and Amazon Prime. The show tells the story of the glamorous residents of the Southern California community of Avalon, and the dark secrets they hide behind their perfect facades.

"It's pure glamour," says Indie Series Award winning Michael Caruso, who wrote the script and executive produces. "The novel is the kind of fun poolside read that people crave, and when Ken [Corday] permitted Kyle [Lowder] and I to adapt his novel we thought that the digital medium would be perfect for binge watching, which is why Amazon is the ideal home for Ladies of the Lake."

With a track record of hits that includes the popular dramas DeVanity and Winterthorne, Caruso's streak of successes will surely continue with the enchanting Ladies of the Lake.

The cast includes Martha Madison, Lilly Melgar, Jessica Morris, Marie Wilson, Jillian Clare, Kyle Lowder, Patrika Darbo, Arianne Zucker, Wally Kurth, Ian Buchanan, Gordon Thomson and John-Paul Lavoisier.

"Bringing Ken Corday’s story to life was one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences of my career," says Kyle Lowder, who executive produces and stars as Detective Shawn Daniels. "There's a little something for everyone. Mystery, romance, drama, and a visual feast that brings the over the top lifestyles of So Cal to life."

Watch the trailer below.

Ken Corday: Shooting 'Days of our Lives' So Far Ahead is Only Way to "Make Our Nut" + Fans Must Wait Till Fall For Carlivati to Wiggle Out of Summer Stories

Ken Corday is excited about fall storylines on Days of our Lives.
But what about the next six months?

In his recently interview with Soap Opera Digest, Days of our Lives executive producer Ken Corday explained why the iconic NBC soap opera shoots episodes six months in advance.

"Because the money that we’re getting to produce the show is not what it was two years ago, four years ago, six years ago. So we have to contract the production of the show, and we’re doing eight shows a week as opposed to five shows a week. So we get way far ahead and we’re not using the studio, we don’t have to pay studio overhead, and et cetera, et cetera for 13 out of 52 weeks. That’s the only way we can make our nut."

It seems like the current production schedule may be the only way financially to keep Days going at this point. But it certainly can't be good news for viewers to hear the show's executive producer warn fans for the second time in three years that the next six months will not be very enjoyable. This time around, fans must wait until fall to see the impact of new head writer, Ron Carlivati.

"That’s the thing we’ll be getting away from the most is the onerous, 'I can’t watch this anymore' kind of darkness," Corday tells the magazine. "I’ll just say at a time when there’s enough bad news on the air, we don’t need to see it reflected on Days of our Lives. We don’t need to see people doing the wrong things with the wrong people. People want to come to this show for a safe haven. They want to be entertained and warmed and, you know, cuddle up with Days again. The shift will take about two months for him to kind of resolidify, wiggle out of what was there in the summer, and give us a fall that’s much more in keeping with what I’m talking about."

'Days of our Lives' Renewed for 52nd Season

“Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

Those words, which have drawn millions of eager viewers to their television sets for six decades, will remain a high point of the broadcast day for a record 52nd season with the announcement today of NBC’s latest renewal of the acclaimed drama.

“We feel so privileged to be able to continue the remarkable legacy of Days of our Lives,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment.” “We thank Ken Corday and his team for their incredible accomplishments and look forward to all the stories from Salem that will continue to unfold.”

Said Ken Corday, executive producer: “It’s a great day in Salem! We’re pleased to announce that after more than 51 years in the hearts and homes of our amazing fans, Days of our Lives will continue to be part of the NBC family. We are grateful to our incredible network and longstanding partner Sony for their continued support, and we look forward to what the future will bring under the new creative direction of the show. I’m especially proud to be able to shepherd Days into the new season, continuing my parents dream and the show’s legacy.”

Ron Carlivati Wants 'Days of our Lives' Fans to Laugh, Cry and Yearn for Couples

It may not be the latest "Plan to Save Days of our Lives" but in the current issue of Soap Opera Digest, executive producer Ken Corday previews what to expect under new head writer Ron Carlivati.

"He will bring to the show things that the show hasn't had for quite a while," says Corday. "What he said to me is that he wants the show to make you laugh again and he wants the show to make you cry again and he wants the show to make you yearn for certain couples again as opposed to, ‘Why are they doing this? Why are they doing that?’ So he will resolidify shortly after his tenure starts. We will see couples that I’m a big fan of and that I think viewers are big fans of, as well."

Opinion
Carlivati was able to deliver wonderful humor as head writer for both One Life to Live and General Hospital, so we can expect the same on Days. It will honestly be a nice change from the current state of the show.

'Days of our Lives' Executive Producer Ken Corday Releases Statement on Passing of Joseph Mascolo

It's a sad day for fans of legendary actor Joseph Mascolo, who played Stefano DiMera for decades on NBC soap opera Days of our Lives, as news of his death was released to the public.

The show's executive producer has released a statement on Mr. Mascolo's passing. Read it below.

"It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and beloved member of the Days of our Lives family, Joseph Mascolo. The smile on Joe's face is something we’d all come to find comfort in, and he will be sorely missed. His larger than life presence, kind heart, and unwavering positivity has impacted us all for decades, and will live on in the memories of his many fans. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."

The Newest "New" Plan to Save 'Days of our Lives'

On September 6, the work of the latest head writing team at Days of our Lives begins airing. This go around, Dena Higley is paired with rising star Ryan Quan, which means it's time for the new new new new new (you get it) plan to says Days!

In the new issue of Soap Opera Digest, executive producer Ken Corday talks about what went wrong after the show’s well-received 50th anniversary celebration last November, how they’re fixing it (again), and the "synergy" and "symbiosis" that the new co-head writing team of Higley and Quan (Quigley?) brings to the table.

"After Christmas and January, it had really started to take a left turn,"Corday tells the magazine. "I was very concerned about the lack of romance on the show, the lack of focus on the show, and I made my concerns known."

"I have been waiting to do this interview for about six months because we wrote the shows coming up and taped them six months ago, and I knew then I’d be very excited about the show because it is reset," Corday says. "Dena and Ryan have done a wonderful job of resetting it and getting it out of that dark place it was in."

Find out more in the new issue of Digest, on sale now.

Ken Corday, Eva Longoria Among Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2017

Ken Corday

Days of our Lives executive producer Ken Corday, former The Young and the Restless actress Eva Longoria, late singer Selena Quintanilla, Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, singer John Legend and actors Chris Pratt, Amy Adams and Hugh Laurie were among those announced today as the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s class of 2017.

The honorees were selected to receive stars on the legendary walk from among hundreds of nominations submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame Selection Committee. The recipients were chosen by the committee and ratified by the chamber’s Board of Directors.

Honorees in their respective Walk of Fame categories are:

Michael and Barbara Caruso Productions Set to Produce Digital Series Based on Ken Corday Novel "Ladies of the Lake" Starring Kyle Lowder

Production on Ladies of the Lake begins next month.

In a first of its kind deal, Ken Corday, longtime executive producer of Days of our Lives, has enlisted Emmy nominated Michael Caruso, to adapt and produce his original novel, "Ladies of the Lake," for the digital platform. The series will be executive produced by Michael Caruso (under his company Michael and Barbara Caruso Productions) and Emmy nominated actor Kyle Lowder, who also stars in the series and was instrumental in spearheading the initial concept to bring the soapy page-turner to the small screen. Two-time Emmy winner Sonia Blangiardo will direct the series.

Ladies of the Lake tells the story of four wealthy wives living in the exclusive gated community of Avalon. When their abusive husbands begin to turn up dead, Detective Shawn Daniels (Lowder) launches an investigation, only to discover the many secrets hidden beneath the glossy veneers of Avalon.

The script was penned by Indie Series Award winning writer Michael Caruso, adapted from the novel written by Ken Corday.

“Ken has been behind us since day one, giving us the freedom and creative control to adapt his novel," said Caruso. "He has been incredibly generous throughout the entire process and working alongside Kyle on this has been extraordinary. We are pulling out all the stops to whip up a really fun ride for the audience."

“Bringing Ken Corday's novel to life is something that I wanted to do from the first time I read it," revealed Lowder. " To have the opportunity to work with Michael Caruso and all the talent involved, both in front of and behind the camera, is truly inspiring.”

“When Kyle and Michael unveiled their vision for transforming 'Ladies of the Lake' into digital episodes, I was delighted," added Corday. "Our creative collaboration is a burst of fresh energy which stays true to the original story and also introduces these beautiful, intelligent, complex women to a broader audience."

Ladies of the Lake begins production next month. Additional cast announcements will be made next week. To find out more, visit www.ladiesofthelakeseries.com.

NEWS: Ken Corday, Karla Mosley, Lisa Rinna, 'Empire' Ad Rates, New 'PLL' Intro

Days of our Lives viewers saw Bo Brady's face on Tuesday.

Ken Corday happy to have Peter Reckell back as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives
“Peter Reckell is part of the fabric and history of Days of our Lives and we are thrilled to have him back," says executive producer Ken Corday. "What we think has been happening with Bo hasn’t been. It’s a huge mystery, where he is and what he’s doing. That has to be solved.”

The Bold and the Beautiful star Karla Mosley: "Diversity helps everyone"
"We can look at Misty Copeland becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer for ABT. People are beginning to understand that diversity helps everyone," says Mosley. "It enriches our creative thinking, our marketing, and the more people you have with various life experiences the broader your scope is. As a businessperson it’s a smart decision."

"The LGBT community has been extremely supportive. People are seeing their story on TV or a story very similar to theirs. People love the fact that Rick and Maya are staying together. People say that’s not realistic or that would never really happen but in this situation we can say it does happen and that it happens everyday."

Lisa Rinna grateful for the foundation she received on Days of our Lives
"When I started, you'd have 20 to 40 pages of dialogue to memorize every single day," Rinna says. "You had to learn so fast. It was sink or swim… [It's] some of the hardest work you'll ever have to do."

The pressure was so great, in fact, that Rinna often broke down when she came home after an intense day of filming.

"I would come home and I would get in the bathtub and I would cry. I would have a really good cry," she admits. "It was all-consuming."

Though difficult to go through at the time, Rinna now looks back on her soap opera days as the training ground that honed her skill and gave her a strong foundation for the rest of her career.

"It prepared me for anything else," she says. "I really am grateful for that."

Bob Harper replacing Alison Sweeney as host of The Biggest Loser
"I'm super excited about taking the position of host on The Biggest Loser," Harper said in a press release about the news. "I've been with the show since Season 1, so I know all of the ins and outs, and let me tell you, the weigh-in room is going to be a completely different ballgame with me at the steering wheel."

FOX orders a drama pilot about the first female pitcher in pro baseball
The show is from The Neighbors and Galavant creator Dan Fogelman. The untitled project follows a young female pitcher who defies the odds to become the first woman to compete in professional baseball.

Pretty Little Liars is getting a new intro
"Everyone gets a turn to shhh,” says creator Marlene King.

Advertising on Empire will cost $500.000 per 30-second spot in Season 2
The last non-sports show to demand that much money was American Idol during its heyday.

Ken Corday: "The Show I Was Looking At Was No Longer 'Days of our Lives' To Me"

The new issue of Soap Opera Digest features an interesting interview with Days of our Lives executive producer Ken Corday, who explains why the show made behind the scenes changes, and teased what's coming up.

When asked why Days switched head writers in February, Corday explains it was "because the show I was looking at was no longer recognizable as Days of our Lives to me."

"With all due respect to the writers who are no longer there, and who did win us an Emmy award, and GLAAD awards and many other kudos, there comes a time when they're just burned out, and they were not getting it done. It was time to make a switch. I felt like the car was headed for the edge of the cliff."

Head Writers Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell were replaced by Dena Higley and Josh Griffith.

Corday says the mood on set was not positive.

'Days of our Lives' Executive Producer Ken Corday to Appear at BookCon in NYC on May 30

Days of our Lives executive producer Ken Corday will be signing his latest novel, "Ladies of the Lake," at BookCon in New York City this Saturday, May 30 from 12-1 p.m.

About "Ladies of the Lake":
Getting away with murder. Seems unlikely, but in the gated community of Avalon it’s what’s in style.

It all starts with Hudson’s accidental decapitation. It was a terrible accident. He was drunk and in the middle of a fight with his second wife. They both pressed the garage door button at the same time. The LAPD didn’t give it a second thought. Instead of grieving, his wife breathes free air again. She is a rich woman with freedom. The other wives secretly envy her.

From the outside, Avalon seems like the ideal place to live; full of rich men and beautiful women. Six couples form a close-knit friendship; the men all golf together, the women all shop together, and their six children all skip school together. But the wives begin to resent feeling like possessions and realize that the men become crueler every day.

When more husbands start dying, the so-called “Ladies of the Lake” find themselves under suspicion from the LAPD and their own children.

The six children try to uncover their parents’ secrets before the handsome Detective Daniels can discover what is truly going on behind closed gates.

Ken Corday BookCon Author Signing:
​Javits Center: 655 W. 34th Street, NYC 10001
Midpoint Trade Books Booth (#3174): Saturday May 30 at Noon

RELATED:
- We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Ken Corday

Corday Productions Partners With BroadLit, Inc. For New TV Properties Based on TruLOVE's Library of Romance Stories

Days of our Lives producer Corday Productions is partnering with TruLOVE Network, which is owned by BroadLit, Inc., to develop original television properties based on TruLOVE's extensive library of romance stories. TruLOVE is a digital network with a new focus on global romance and programmed to capture the powerful female audience with a wholly owned original library of content developed by an award winning marketing, branding and production management team.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Producer, Former Comcast Exec Team Up for Interactive Web Soaps

Corday Productions and All Screens Media announced a new joint venture Friday, Net Soaps/Net Novelas, aimed at producing original online content for the international market with an emphasis on the U.S., Latin America and Brazil.

“This new venture is about taking the passion consumers have for soaps and novelas into a new era,” said Ken Corday, CEO of Corday Productions. “This will be original content that the fans will play a role in greenlighting and casting, delivered in a form that can build devoted communities of fans in the digital space.”

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Renewed Through September 2014, Airs 12,000th Episode On Friday

On the heels of celebrating its 12,000th episode, NBC has extended its long-running daytime drama DAYS OF OUR LIVES for an additional year, taking the show through September 2014 and past its 48th year anniversary in November 2013. The extension was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. The 12,000th episode will air this Friday, January 11.

Ken Corday - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Four

In Parts One, Two, and Three of my interview with Ken Corday, the affable and arguably misunderstood Executive Producer discussed writing "The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives," protecting DAYS from the "sharks" at NBC, and how he has coped with negative criticisms and insults from fans.  In this final part he discusses his brother's chronic mental health issues, and the future of DAYS (including good news for "Viggie" fans!). 

We Love Soaps: What is “Days Of Our Lives Publications?”
Ken Corday: The overall deal we made with Source Publishing is to give them over the next three years up to ten books.  The minimum deal is for five.  This is the first.  In October we are coming out with a 45th Anniversary coffee table book. It is totally pictorial, no narrative.  Close to 400 pages from the beginning of the show to today.  Most of them are behind the scenes photos and wonderful candids.  Then there is a line of extended romantic novels based on characters that are no longer on the show.  The first is John and Marlena.  Those three books are being written by Sheri Anderson (DAYS headwriter 1984-1986).

We Love Soaps: In the first few pages of the book, you describe a traumatizing event that took place as a child in front of your apartment in Manhattan, in which your older brother witnessed a woman jump and fall to her death.
Ken Corday: I’m sure that emotionally scarred him for life.  That was the inception for the book.  I told that story to Jim Reilly a year before he passed.  We were at The Carlisle in New York where I always would go to meet him, kiss his ring, listen to him pitch his story.  We both grew up in New York.  He in the Bronx, me in Manhattan.  I told him this story and he said, “Ken, that sounds like the first few pages of a book.  Why don’t you write a book about your mom and dad and their history and the family?”  I laughed him off.

Ken Corday - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Three

In Parts One and Two of my interview with Ken Corday, the DAYS Executive Producer, and writer of "The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives," discussed his "mistakes" as EP, his relationship to new media, and dealing with criticisms and insults.  In Part Three, he shares his reasoning behind DAYS rise in the ratings, as well as the history of back-burnering older characters. 

We Love Soaps: DAYS is the only show to gain in total viewers over the past year.
Ken Corday: Go figure.  It stymied NBC.  They thought in cutting us back so drastically as they did in 2009 with a 40% cutback...how do you do a one hour show for half as much?  Yet  we figured out a way to do it.  Unfortunately, I had to let some very tried and true cast members go.  And the numbers go up.  They scratched their heads and said, “We didn’t expect this.”  Jeff Zucker came out and announced three years ago that the show would be off the air in April 2009.  He who laughs last!

We Love Soaps: How do you explain this rise in raising despite all these setbacks?
Ken Corday: A good head writer.  Period.  Wonderful cast.  It’s the formula, it’s the pyramid.  You have a good head writer, good actors, the characters are golden.  And you can keep playing those characters.  You look at the other successful shows, especially THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL.  There are 4-5 central characters that are still carrying a story after 30 years. 

Ken Corday - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Two

In Part One of my interview with DAYS OF OUR LIVES Executive Producer, this daytime legend described his "mistakes" running DAYS, and his tentative relationship with new media, as well as his new revealing book "The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives."  In Part Two he discusses the need to protect DAYS from network "sharks", as well as how he copes with the breadth of negative criticism he receives.

We Love Soaps: DAYS fans, more than other shows, are some of the most passionate, yet also the most forgiving viewers.  However, I have seen them extremely negative at times as well. 
Ken Corday: You put them in the right order.  They are passionate.  We have the diehard viewer, whether they are 55, 45, or 35, that puts up with our mistakes and watches a story that goes on for too long, or feels short shrifted, and forgives us for it. In these times it is difficult to get new viewers, especially new young viewers to watch the set unless they are indoctrinated as you and I were.  You’re sitting in your mother’s living room and there’s the theme song, there’s the show, and before you know it you’re involved.

Ken Corday - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part One

Ken Corday is known as many things to many people. But as revealed in his new book, "The Days of our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives," there is an undeniable emotional gravitas and spiritual thread that his parents infused in DAYS from the very start 45 years ago,  and which continues to this day.  In Part One of our interview, he candidly discusses his "mistakes" as Executive Producer of DAYS, and perspective on new media.  In future parts, he will discuss the secret of DAYS passionate following, the future for DAYS, and how he has coped with his harshest critics. 

We Love Soaps: Ken, it is great to talk with you.  While reading your book I was fascinated by how our paths have crossed.  I grew up in L.A. and moved to New York, while you grew up in New York and moved to L.A.  We both went to UC Santa Cruz for college.
Ken Corday: That’s right, College Five.

We Love Soaps: College Five, Porter College, that’s where I lived as well.  Also, my mother watched DAYS OF OUR LIVES while pregnant with me, as your mother was Executive Producer.  I have always believed that there is psychological and spiritually uplifting quality to DAYS, and after reading your book I understand why. 
Ken Corday: That’s very kind of you.  My theory is that you are only as good as the cornerstone, the first stone you lay.  The premise of the show, which was rural, off the urban track U.S.A., was much more about family values, generations, and the redemptive power of love.  Back in 1965, not to be critical of the other soaps, but they were not focused on that subject the way DAYS was.  I really think that still speaks to the show.  It’s very kind that you find it uplifting.  There have been times it’s been a bit strange, when you have people possessed or buried alive.  And then with a quick “Our father...” it’s all over, or a quick unearthing, it’s all over.  But we learn from our mistakes as well.

We Love Soaps: That is one of my questions.  I appreciate how much love and commitment you have for the show.  Yet there are times things have appeared on screen that appear disparate from that.   Some of the “strange” elements you discussed seem disparate.