Days of Our Lives fans have been beside themselves since news leaked that James Scott (EJ) was in tense contract talks with the show. Most can't envision a Salem without him. But how does Arianne Zucker (Nicole) feel about the prospect of possibly losing her longtime leading man? Can she even imagine the show without Scott?
"No," responds Zucker emphatically. "I think he's a very sexy asset to the show. He brings a lot."
Assets aside, Zucker notes that "you never want to see people you enjoy working with go. As a friend and a person who's worked with him for a long time, you never want to see people that you adore leave the show. I think he's very important [to it]."
Zucker calls Scott "a strong actor" and sees EJ as one of those truly special soap characters.
"He's definitely someone that you just love to hate or that most women just love to love," she chuckles. "He's the bad John Black, when Drake (Hogestyn) was at his prime. That would be the comparison that I make. You couldn't imagine the show without Drake. It's the same kind of thing [with James]."
Photo Courtesy: NBC/Trae Patton
Comments
She can’t? I can. Because the show existed for over 40 years before he showed up. Seriously, James Scott’s great and all, but anybody who “can’t imagine the show without him” should invest in a better imagination. Hell, most of the time AZ’s been on the show, he wasn’t.
I agree with Ari. he is a sexy addition to the show and brings a lot to it. The show would go on without him but, I & I am sure many others would feel the loss if he leaves. it would also be tragic if we don’t get the EJ and Nicole love story a lot of us have been waiting for for a while now. Ari and James are just dynamic together and are the main reasons I tune in.
I’m sure AZ didn’t mean any disrespect to Drake Hogestyn, but I think he and Deidre Hall STILL are very important to a successful Days. As for James Scott, it he wants to leave the show, I’ll be fine with it. If he stays, that will work too.
I agree with Kirstin. No offense, but I can imagine a Days without James Scott and the analogy Ari makes is not fitting at all. Apples and oranges.
Why isn’t the woman allowed to have an opinion? We have! We all have favorites, she loves Drake and James. Isn’t it nice she doesn’t Diva out on her co-workers. Give Ari a break. She is the most down to earth, and genuinely honest actor you’ll find. I don’t have to agree with what she says, but I honor her right to say it!
Days needs James Scott. He’s one of the best actors on the show (if not the best – managing to snag an Emmy nom during Higley’s reign of terror and character assassination is practically a miracle). He’s only gotten more talented as the show has gone on, taking a character who was only supposed to be a short-term, one-note villain, and turned him into one of the most popular characters on Days.
If he does leave, I wouldn’t say Days would be doomed, but that show will have lost a huge piece of its heart. Acting-wise, I’d compare him more to Matt Ashford. That is to say, brilliant.
I have to agree with Ari Zucker.To loose James Scott would be a big lost for Days.He is very important to the show and alot of fans.I know I would miss him playing EJ if he left.James Scott really is one of the greats,as far as actors for Days.
BUT just to clarify, James was not her longest leading man. That would be John Aniston’s pleasure. Then Jensen Ackles, then her husband Kyle Lowder, then Eric Martsolf. Those men collectively or individually have had more screen time with Ari than James has had in the years he has been on. So “longest leading man” is a false.
I just L O V E James Scott…….Please Please don’t leave. I tune into days just to watch you………..I also would love to see EJ and Nicole together.They are so perfect for each other.
No EJ…no more” Days” for me……..( and I have been watching for over 40 years )
I’m in agreement with Ari. Days needs James. What a great asset to the show. His two Emmy nominations for Leading Actor underscore his ability. He’s made EJ DiMera an unforgettable character. Plus, he has the talent to make something stellar out of horse puckey, as witnessed by how well he articulated the role when it was being written in schizophrenic fashion this last year.
I completely agree, James Scott is an integral part of the show – he’s carried the show for the last two years throughout the hackley mess – losing him now at this very precarious time for Days would be an absolute disaster! Whether some people would like to admit it or not – he’s all anyone talks about – love him or hate him it’s all about EJ/James.
The main goal is getting people to watch the show again, losing one of the most popular actors on the show (as proven by fan events, online polls, and the fact that he’s been nominated twice consecutively by the Emmy committee) would just blow that attempt out of the water.
#SaveJamesScott! Days NEEDS him!
Awww…another reason I love Ari Zucker! Not only is she a fabulous actress, she apparently knows a good actor when she sees one. Takes one to know one. She’s absolutely correct, James Scott is a huge asset to the show! Days would be foolish to let him get away.
I know he is the reason I stayed tuned in these last couple of years when the writing failed us as viewers time and time again. All the vet returns and rewrites won’t matter to me if they get rid of James Scott. Not to mention, Days is not in a position to be doing a ‘one step forward, two steps back’ type of dance. They can’t afford it. Therefore, they should be doing whatever it takes to get James Scott secured in a new contract that will keep him in a juicy front burner storyline, rotating with the other great storylines the writers are planning. It should be a no-brainer.
Here, here!! I totally agree with Ari. I’m afraid it will be the final nail in the coffin for Dool if they let JS go. He’s Emmy-nominated actor, for pete’s sake, he has charisma and the goodlooks. He’s one of the reason’s the show is still on the air. I hope TBTB realizes this before it’s too late.
I don’t want to imagine days of our lives without JS because imo days was boring before he came to days.
I can back to Days because of James Scott. The show would not be the same without him.
We need him to stay.
Like many others James Scott is what drew me back into watching Days..I have stuck it out even when I just couldn’t stand the stories because of JAMES and his portrayal of EJ.
Days would be idiots to let him go!
I understand completely what Arianne meant. James Scott is one of a kind. His character EJ Dimera is the only character on Days who has the same quality and depth as the characters seen on primetime TV. If Days wants to catch more viewers, they’ll most definitely need EJ. Because people are pretty disillusioned if they think that the other characters on the show are going to lure as many viewers as EJ has and can with a good story. James Scott has a great following, plus he’s the only one who’ve been up for two emmy nominations as a leading man. That speaks for itself.
Ari is allowed to have an opinion and I agree with her. I’ve been watching Days since the early eighties and love James Scott as EJ Dimera. If he leaves all that will be left in Salem is a bunch of good guys and to me that sounds very boring.
i think ari is right! the show will collapse without james. he is as good an actor as ari is, and i’m sick of incipid rafe and sami and sex without end. please keep him on the show as he holds it together.
I agree! Even with the vets back, the show would take a head shattering blow if JS leaves. IMO he carried DOOL during the recent reign of terror. IMO his remarkable talent made the show bearable. Please, please James, dont leave!
If James Scott leaves, Days will continue to go on. No one is indispensable! Life will go on!
Also people, stop drinking the Kool Aid that if James Scott or anyone else leaving Days that the show will end. Thats a bunch of bull manure!
Days definately needs to keep James Scott. EJ is a character that is multi-dimensional and has the capacity to shine in all of the storylines. EJ has become a victim of terrible writing and producing by Dena Higley, Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell. Ken Corday stood in the background and approved the asassination of the character of Days leading man and twice Emmy nominated actor, James Scott. The reset will not work if EJ is not a part of it. I am an EJami fan, and I hate that Sami has been coupled with Rafe. I continue to watch because James Scott is on canvas. If James leaves, TPTB will ultimately be giving the finger to two fanbases, EJami and EJole. Days will suffer a big loss in viewership if James Scott does not stay.
I always liked that Ari Z. She seems like a smart girl!
James Scott is the only actor who could have taken the crap writing he has been given, being written into corner after corner, and turned it around into complex and compelling performances, worthy of 2 Emmy nominations. He is brilliant, and quite frankly, the only thing that has made Days worth watching for a while. Although written 2-dimensionally, EJ is the most multi-faceted character, and that is all thanks to James. Days needs to do whatever they can to keep him, it would be extremely short-sighted not to.
I couldn’t agree more with Ari Z. Thanks for sharing the interview.
For me, I couldn’t imagine Days without James. It would be such a shame for Days to let a talented, multidimensional actor like James go.
I can totally imagine a Days of our Lives without James. It would be fabulous! It would be watchable. It would be a show getting a lot higher ratings than the last 5 years has brought. Most importanly, it would be a Days that I would be a show that I hate to miss, unlike right now.
Too bad the lovely Ari Zucker doesn’t know that the Ejami fans refer to her character as The Ho, slut,Misty Circle..and every other name you can imagine. Maybe if JS leaves then they will stop doing that. It’s very annoying because Ari is one of the most talented women on the show and I know that James loves working with her. If they had kept Ejole together Ej’s would have a good storyline and maybe wouldn’t be in jeparady now. But his own fans failed to support him in that storyline.
I don’t think it’s accurate to say Days of OUr LIves Fans are beside themselves. This Days fan is happy of the idea of no EJ Dimera in Salem. He is the vilian that never pays for his crimes. Although I enjoy EJ and Nicoole together it’s not enough for me to want to support EJ. SOOOO I think it would be more accurate to say James Scott fans are beside themselves. They willingingly admit that they only watch DAYS for him. I avoid Days because of him and I avoid message boards because of his fans who not only bad mouth other characters but other actors too. I think DAYS will be just find without the likes of lil Elvis Dimera!
I have watched DOOL for 3 decades but I have continued watching in recent years for one reason only – James Scott/EJ Dimera. He has become one of my all time favorite daytime characters in large part because of James Scott’s amazing portrayal of the character and acting skills. Would DOOL survive without him? Maybe, but when their ratings are already in the toilet why would they shoot themselves in the foot by getting rid of one of their most popular and talked about characters/actors. No one generates more buzz then James Scott/EJ.
DAYS fans are not beside themselves. James fans, sure, but not actual DAYS fans. His dominance of the canvas for the last 5+ years is a major reason I stopped watching. I could happily imagine DAYS without him, and have for quite some time. Still keeping my fingers crossed, actually.
Arianne Zucker is truly a classy lady and a wonderful actress, protraying a complex, interesting character. As someone who’s worked with James she understands how much of himself he brings to the show everyday. Thanks so much Ari!
I agree with Ari – Now that James Scott has graced my screen as EJ Dimera for nearly 5 1/2 years I truly cannot imagine a Days without him or his delightfully charming badboy character EJ. James is an outstanding actor and his accomplishment of earning two consecutive Emmy nominations for best actor is a credit to his skill. I certainly hope that a compromise can be found that will allow him to stay at Days. His loss would be a terrible blow to a show that is already on delicate ground with regards to its survival. It would certainly make me less likely to watch if he departed.
I certainly hope that Days recognizes his value to the show and that he can continue in the role of EJ Dimera for the foreseeable future.
As for those people who debate his value to the show, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. However, hateful personal attacks on either James or his supporters only weaken your own argument and make you look spiteful. Also, please do not misrepresent and insult a fanbase that you are obviously not a part of – it makes you look as classless as you claim the people that you are attacking are.
Not only is James Scott a fine actor who is dedicated to his character, his craft, the integrity of the show and his co-star(s), he is equally dedicated to the fans that support him. NBC is lucky to have him and should expeditiously ensure that he remains in Salem for as long as he wants.
Ari clearly appreciates having a wondeful co-star to play off, because it has helped make her own scenes more powerful….I agree with her words 100%……
James is a terrific actor who was able to make lemonade out of some very sour lemons of the last few years and allowed viewers to be drawn to the character of EJ from the get go……
He gives us a wonderfully gray and layered character who even at his darkest shows a vulnerability that pulls at the deepest heart strings…….
TPTB at DOOL need to do the right thing and that is to ensure that this man never leaves our screens……
I absolutely agree with Ari. James is certainly a “strong actor”.It takes an incredible actor to be able to take the horrendous writing given to his character and truly make it enjoyable and interesting. There are lots of good actors on Days but very few I would say are great. I gladly include James Scott as one of the greats. Can the show survive without him? Possibly but probably not for long. There is no other character on canvas right now that can grab one’s attention like he does. Love him or hate him EJ Dimera is a very popular character and the only reason he is such is because of James. He has taken a character that was probably a one dimensional character on paper and made him this complex and exciting character. It will be a significant blow to Days if he leaves.
Thank-you to Ms. Zucker for her heartfelt words about James Scott. I too cannot envision a Salem without James Scott as EJ DiMera, at least not one I would want to watch. The possibility of losing Scott is unacceptable. He is the leading man and the star of the show. His talent is incredible. His ability to become his character and make scenes worth watching is amazing. I urge Days to re-sign this very talented actor!
Thank you Ari for your support of a truly professional and gifted actor. Never do you hear of James not supporting ALL fan bases and or his co stars. Not only is he nice looking he is extremely talented, hence the two Emmy nominations over the past two years.
James brings to DOOL what is needed of ALL it’s actors, commitment to his craft. As a viewer of DOOL for over twenty five years I have NEVER seen another actor that is more committed and aware of his character than James Scott. He does a beautiful job of telling the emotional story of EJ’s life and he can do that without even talking, his facial expressions are outstanding.
So IMHO it would be a great loss for DOOL if they do not resign James BUT if another soap and or movie etc picked him up, that would be THEIR gain!
DOOL PLEASE keep James in a front storyline he has proven himself time and time again that he CAN handle it!!
She can’t imagine Days without James? I certainly can. Sorry Ari but I don’t agree with your opinion, wonder what you did before he came on, oh yeah, you were on the show and it was thriving back then.
Seriously, NO ONE is absolutely necessary to keep this show running. It’s an ensemble cast and frankly I can use a break from the air hog that is his character.
While I don’t like the Nicole/Ej pairing, I couldn’t agree more with Ari Z. James is the best thing to happen to Days since…well, since anything I can recall in the 26 years of watching the show!
Ari’s a great talent herself and I’d not take her opinion lightly!
Days needs to keep James…please!
I agree with Arianne. E.J. brings a great deal to the table. She must be thinking how cold winter days would be without E.J, to keep her home fire burning. Can’t blame her.
James is such a talented, amazing, dedicated, versatile actor. He is the only reason I watch dool. He portrays EJ in a way that makes the character so interesting and multi dimensional. I LOVE JAMES SCOTT. PLEASE KEEP JAMES SCOTT<3, HE IS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO DAYTIME TELEVISION!!!!
James Scott is the only reason I started watching Days on a regular basis. Looking back on all the horrid writing his character has been given it is truly amazing, imo, how he has managed to create such a multi layered character. And 2 leading man emmy nods with this writing. Just think what he could do with a decent story and good writing. Days would be very foolish to let him leave.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ari. I certainly agree with you in as much as I can’t imagine Salem without EJ either. If that ever comes to pass, I can honestly say I won’t be watching DAYS in the future.
I’ve been faithful and have struggled through this past year or two ONLY because of my regard for James, his superb acting and my desire to support the fading soap genre.
This is supposedly a time to “reset” the show and repair some of the damage that has been done in the recent past. It’s not the time to lose their leading man.
Again, I thank you for your support of James and for your own magnificent performances.
@ Cassie..I am an EJami fan and I refer to Ari Zuker’s character as Nicole…..STOP GENERALIZING ON THE EJAMI FANBAS!!
The face of Days has changed over the years. Yes, Days survived without him for 40 years, in my opinion, losing James Scott now would be like losing John when John and Marlena were in their prime, losing Jack when Jack and Jennifer were in theirs, or Bo when Bo and Hope etc.
Like it or not, James Scot IS the leading man of Days and nobody can argue that he is definitely the most talked about actor and EJ is the lightning rod of Days. Love EJ or hate EJ (I personally LOVE him) fans cannot stop talking about James Scott and his amazing performances and the wonderful character of EJ he brings to life.
Days needs every asset it has right now, and the two year in a row Emmy nominee, four year in a row Adonis winner, is an asset any show would kill to have. Keep him at any cost. He is worth every single penny.
I am an EJami fan, but many people that dont necessarily call themselves EJami fans recognize his worth to the show.
Ari Zucker is right. James Scott is an asset to Days. James and the character of EJ weren’t the reason for the poor ratings the last few years. It was squarely on the shoulders of the writers and Executive Producer, Ken Corday, as he admitted in an interview before the much ballyhooed “re-set.” A testament to James acting chops is that he garnered Days two consecutive lead acting nominations in a category that Days traditionally is snubbed in, during what the Executive Producer admitted were bad times creatively under his watch.
Days would be foolish to loose him. Thanks for the equally talented Ari Zucker for telling it like it is.
When I hear an actor is in “tense contract negotiations,” I basically lose interest in that character especially if the actor thinks he makes or breaks the show all by himself. Pride goeth before a fall.
Days has an ensemble cast and it has always been that way and this Days fan, namely me, has been watching since the beginning in the ’60’s. I’ve seen a lot of actors and their characters come and go.
The soap genre is slowly dying each time networks cancel shows which in turn leaves less jobs for soap actors like Scott. That should be something any soap actor should be aware of these days. Scott can do whatever he wants.
Personally, I am tired of the character EJ Dimera. He is predictable. EJ is just a one-trick pony, as the saying goes, with what the writers are giving Scott. The most refreshing acting that Scott has done was the characters in the “tongue in cheek” academy awards spoof that some of the cast, including Scott, presented. EJ’s head injury and the episode where he was in severe pain and opening up to Nicole was about the best performance I’ve seen from him. The writers have made EJ so wishy-washy. I’m waiting to see if the writers handle EJ’s campaign for mayor or if it will fall apart.
Whether Scott rejects contract offers is up to him. I’ll still be watching DOOL no matter what he decides until DOOL goes the way of the other NBC soaps.
It’s nice to see Ari comment publicly about how she feels about James..she is not alone.
It is sad that it has to come down to this. James has been such a huge part of the show on and off the screen. He has been the one actor who has consistently been out to the fan events promoting the show.
To me he represents the future of Days, and to me it would look pretty bleak without him.
Ari, thank you for voicing this which is so true. So many fans of Days if you love EJ or not cannot imagine the show without him. I was shocked to even hear there was even a possibility that he might leave. James Scott is a wonderful charismatic actor and he leaves me always wanting more and yes it has paid off by the Emmy nominations. I hope Days can keep him.
Without James Scott on Days, I wouldn’t be watching the show, and this soap has been my family soap since it started in the 60’s. I know many viewers have their favorites…but being a legacy soap does nothing for me without the presence of James Scott as EJ on it. He brought me through two years of horrible writing…I could always count on EJ’s performance even if I didn’t like the storyline.
Please re-sign James Scott now.
SO MANY CHIMING IN WHO CALL NICOLE “WHORE”, MISTY
CIRCLE, “HO” AND UTTERLY DESPISE HER.
HYPOCRITES !!!!!!!!!!
Days without the dimeras[especially EJ as played by James Scott] to keep the saints brady and horton hypocrites on their toes is a days that would be a bad fairy tale.
amazing how the poeple who make fun of Ari and her character now think her statements are spot on. I agree hypocrites!
I’ll be happy to see James move on to other venues. Then I can return to watching DAYS of our LIves and the EJ Dimera show (see the list of most used characters if you don’t believe me) will be over. He’s an overused charactedr and has been for a LOOOONG time.
I never fully felt that EJ’s character made total sense, and I love how his rape of Sami is forgotten about (similar to Jack, another stupid character). I overall like James Scott, but think the show would be just fine without him…especially with everyone brought back recently.
I agree with Ari that James is very important to Days. He is an extremely dedicated and talented actor that has added so many layers to the character of EJ DiMera. I love that EJ is smart, witty, and snarky, but has a true vulnerability towards those that he loves. Unfortunately the writing for the last year and a half has derailed from these characteristics that made me fall in love with this character, yet James still managed to receive 2 Emmy nominations. I am excited to have his character restored finally, and it would be a shame to lose him now.
I also believe that someone who doesn’t like a specific character can still appreciate and agree with the actor portraying the character. I have heard that some fans who aren’t fans of EJ acknowledge that James is talented and a great asset to Days. As an ejami fan, I personally think James and Ari are very talented actors, and I actually like both of their characters, just not together romantically.
Hopefully we will get positive news soon that James has resigned with Days. Otherwise myself, along with many others will be devastated.
Just because someone’s an EJ fan doesn’t mean they are a Nicole hater. I like and enjoy both characters, some people just can’t be happy without trying start trouble.
I love James Scott. I think he and Joe Mascalo are the two finest actors on Days of Our Lives. James makes everyone around him better. I adore the character of Nicole and I think Ari Zuker is a great actor in her own right. But I can’t help it. I love EJ and Sami Brady together. Now that is a great story just waiting to be told! Come on Ken Corday! Sign that sexy Brit! Tall, dark, and handsome. Women love him, and men want to be him.
I have NEVER seen an Ejami fan bad mouth Ari and they don’t have to like the character of Nicole (which is a fictional soap character in case some have forgotten) to agree with Ari! I happen to adore Nicole she has always been one of my favorite characters and I think Ari is a great actress. And I am a die hard Ejami fan. To generalize or say someone can’t agree with Ari because they don’t like the Nicole character is beyond infantile and ridiculous.
I agree with Ari, James brings a lot to DOOL and I am always drawn into his scenes no matter how bad the writting has been at times. I hope DOOL will keep him. For me the show wouldn’t be as enjoyable without EJ Dimera.
i agree with “nicole”; days would suffer as far as i’m concerned without either of these actors!!