Days of Our Lives: Lisa Rinna Reflects on Soap Changes

442 days ago by Diana Daley

Lisa Rinna Returns to Days of Our Lives on NBC

Actress Lisa Rinna returned to the NBC daytime soap Days of Our Lives this week after a decade long absence from originating the role of Billie Reed.

The return of Lisa Rinna to Days Our Lives follows on the heels of other past stars rejoining the soap for another sudsy turn in Salem, which included Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, and Patrick Muldoon. But given the changing of the daytime guard from once dominant soap operas to more reality based talk shows, the return of former soap stars may a a nostalgic “one last time” comeback before soaps are gone forever.

When The Deadbolt caught up with Lisa Rinna prior to her March 8 return to Days of Our Lives, Rinna was reflective about the many changes in the soap world since her debut as Billie in 1992 and her last departure in 2003.

“Clearly we’ve all seen the changes in the soap opera world. All you have to do is look around and see what’s left on television. I was flipping through the channels and I went, ‘Okay, what’s the difference between The Chew and The Revolution?’ There is none. The real estate has changed dramatically, and that we can all see I think. I think it’s sad to lose such great shows.”

In recent years the daytime soap world lost such iconic shows as All My Children, One Life to Live, and the long-running Guiding Light. Although you could look at the cancellation of Another World back in 1999 as perhaps the beginning of the end for soap operas on television, Days of Our Lives has managed to survive despite the changing of the soap guard.

When you think about how Days has survived in troubled soap times, it’s an amazing feat of endurance. Year after year soaps have fallen by the sudsy wayside, from the canceled-way-too-soon Santa Barbara and Search for Tomorrow to Passions and many more.

So, despite the decline of soaps over the years, how does Lisa Rinna feel about the current soaps on the air and the changes she’s seen?

“The shows that are left are great, very strong soap operas. What I’ve seen – just personally – what’s changed are the budgets and the way they’re run. They’re very efficient now so that they can stay on the air. And they have to be.”

Let us know how you feel about the return of Lisa Rinna to Days and the future of soaps.

Pricilla Presley

It is great but to be Kate’s daughter is not possible. Kate looks way to young to play your mother.
- Ellielouwho
  
  I couldn’t disagree more. If I could, I would post a picture or two of my 45 yr old daughter and her 24 yr old daughter. I would also post my own picture and one or two of my 5 yr old GREAT granddaughter. No one believes I am a great grandmother – much less to a kindergartener. So I find Kate and Billie’s relationship completely believable.
Ellielouwho

I couldn’t be any more pleased to see Lisa Rinna’s return to Days of Our Lives. I’ve been following this soap for over 35 years with only a few short breaks. When Ms Rinna first appeared in 1992 I immediately fell in love with her superb acting skills while not always loving her character’s behavior. For me, it was very sad to see someone else attempt to play the role of Billie Reed while falling far below the excellent standards that Lisa set. So it is a pure delight that if Billie Reed is to be written back into the story line, that Ms Rinna has agreed to take the role. Do you hear my hands clapping. Thank you Lisa, Days producers and directors and NBC. Now that Days may continue on far, far into the future.
Ida Murray

I think that they have had Bow with enough x’s who needs Billie Leave Hope and Bow alone you need to keep one couple happy and together like Tom & Alice. If you put Bow and Billie together I will stop watching. I have watched the show since it started in the 60′s. You are making Bow out to be what he isnt if you let Billie back in his life a make him and Hope have trouble.