"Days of Our Lives" co-EP Albert Alarr investigated for creating a toxic work environment
'Days Of Our Lives' Staff Cuts & Work Environment Scrutinized As Co-EP Albert Alarr Faced Misconduct Investigation https://t.co/ktXByg5dhA pic.twitter.com/F55sWiqeF7
- Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 25, 2023
Earlier this week, Deadline released a story outlining a nine-week investigation to allegations from a female cast member for creating a toxic work environment on the set of the 58-year old US soap opera "Days of Our Lives" (formerly aired on NBC, now streaming exclusively on Peacock).
The initial allegations cited that "women on the show were paid substantially less than their male counterparts and were grossly impacted by the cuts. The gender disparity regarding staff reductions, the trade site claims, was very noticeable with cast members, with seven women being let go who were contract players, five being let go or dropped to recurring, two exiting the show of their own accord and one male actor being laid off."
Alarr has been with the sudser since 2003 and promoted to co-EP in 2015. He's been the predominant on-set presence since 2020 when long-running EP, Greg Meng, was let go.
Through the course of the investigation 30-40 cast and crew members were interviewed by Sony Pictures, the distributor for the soap. "Days of Our Lives" is produced by Corday Productions and run by Ken Corday, son of the late creators of the soap. Ken Corday has largely been stated to be off-set most days, further allowing Alarr's toxic influence to grow.
Some of the claims made public include...
- Creating a "frat house" like work environment with few women in top positions
- Regularly shouting obscenities at cast members and giving directions in "the most obscene way possible" when directing scenes
- Firing a recurring actor for getting a hair cut (as the actor was not on contract, he didn't need to "keep his image" for the show)
- Directing an actress in her early-40's during a love scene to "try and remember what it was like when you were young and vibrant", after being made to apologize the actress and her character written off the show shortly thereafter.
- Suddenly grabbing a kissing an actress at an award show after the show won an award.
- Further allegations of groping and inappropriate physical contact on-set
After the Deadline article was released, former-DOOL actress Lisa Rinna spoke out on her own recent experience on the set upon a brief return to the set for the web-series "Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem" in 2021. Calling the set "disgusting."
Lisa Rinna Calls 'Days of Our Lives' Set 'Disgusting' After Misconduct Investigation Concludes https://t.co/rrl2rKcUjv
- People (@people) July 27, 2023
- The show is currently on a production hiatus and show runner, Ken Corday, released a vague statement saying measures are being taken for a safe and respectful environment.
- No statement has been released on the status of Albert Alarr's employment with the show, leaving fans riled up and trying to keep the topic trending on Twitter in hopes increased mainstream attention will force the soap into action.
Source 1 and Source 2