Days of Our Lives executive producer Albert Alarr has departed from the NBC soap opera after spending 20 years working on the show. His exit comes in the wake of an internal misconduct investigation conducted by Sony Pictures Television, the production company behind the show. Stepping into Alarr’s role as co-executive producer is Janet Drucker, who has been a producer on Days of Our Lives since the 1980s. The news of the leadership transition was shared by Ken Corday, the head of Corday Productions, in a statement to the show’s cast and crew members on Friday.
The decision to replace Alarr was prompted by weeks of public criticism about his management of the show. According to a report by Deadline published in July, Alarr was accused of creating a toxic work environment on set and making individuals feel uncomfortable. Other allegations were also made against him. In response to these allegations, Corday emphasized the importance of implementing additional HR protocols to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace environment. He stated that there would be an increased HR presence and introduced channels for reporting any concerns.
Before joining Days of Our Lives in 2003, Alarr had an extensive career as a director on several other soap operas, such as All My Children and Port Charles. He also served as a director on shows like The Young and the Restless and Home Improvement. However, his long tenure on Days of Our Lives has come to an end due to the misconduct investigation and subsequent criticism.
The full email from Ken Corday notifying the cast and crew of the leadership transition read:
“Dear Days Cast and Crew,
Effective immediately, Janet Drucker will be elevated to co-executive producer of Days of Our Lives, replacing Albert Alarr, who will be exiting his role.
Moving forward, we will be implementing additional HR protocols, including an increased HR presence as well as channels for reporting any concerns. It is imperative that we have a safe and inclusive workplace environment.
Production will resume, as planned, on Monday with new leadership in place. As a reminder, we still have a pre-planned hiatus set for the week of August 14th.
Sincerely,
Ken”
This email demonstrates Corday’s commitment to addressing the issues raised during the investigation and ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace for the cast and crew. The swift appointment of Janet Drucker as the co-executive producer shows the production team’s determination to move forward smoothly despite the changes in leadership.
With the departure of Alarr, the cast and crew of Days of Our Lives can anticipate a fresh start under the guidance of Janet Drucker, who brings decades of experience to her new role. Her familiarity with the show, having worked on it since the 1980s, will likely aid in maintaining a smooth transition. The decision to promote from within also signals the production team’s confidence in Drucker’s abilities to handle the responsibilities of co-executive producer.
The news of Alarr’s departure and the misconduct investigation has undoubtedly sparked conversations within the soap opera industry and among fans of Days of Our Lives. As viewers look forward to the show’s continued success, they can also expect increased transparency and accountability regarding workplace issues. The industry as a whole can benefit from this situation by recognizing the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for all those involved in the production process.
In conclusion, the departure of executive producer Albert Alarr from Days of Our Lives marks a significant change for the long-running soap opera. Janet Drucker has taken on the role of co-executive producer, and additional HR protocols will be implemented to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace environment. The news has garnered attention within the industry and emphasizes the importance of addressing misconduct allegations. As the show moves forward under new leadership, fans can anticipate a fresh start and increased transparency.