The Days of Our Lives: The True Story of One Family's Dream and the Untold History of Days of Our Lives

by Ken Corday

On a November day almost forty-five years ago, the first episode of Days of our Lives appeared on the NBC Network, NBC's first color soap opera broadcast. Eleven thousand episodes later, millions excitedly tune in every weekday to watch one of the 260 original one-hour episodes produced each year. What few know though is that the show started as the dream of one family, the Corday family, who still owns and runs the show to this day. These are the days of their lives. The Days of our Lives is the first insider account of the history behind one of our most beloved soap operas. It is about the family who believed in it, conceived it, and sometimes seemed to live it along with millions of viewers, as they struggled to emerge from nowhere to create and produce one of the most successful and enduring television shows in history. Ken Corday reveals the triumphs and tragedies behind the scenes over the years, a moving personal story of a family facing everything from death to mental illness, the ever-looming threat of cancellation, and the struggle to keep their dream alive. It is also the story of an extended family-actors, producers, and crew-who formed a bond of love that went beyond just creating a show to establishing a legacy. You will discover for the first time the true  stories behind the show, a story of living a dream and raising a family while things all around you, even fate, seem to conspire against you-and succeeding against all odds.

Genres: Memoir, Tv

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a poorly written book with very little in the way of behind the scenes stories - especially since Ken Corday must have witnessed some interesting stuff. The deaths of his family members are dragged out, and the whole story is just so self-interested. I wished it had been much more interesting and on top of that the book was just so poorly written.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I have been watching Days of Our Lives from the onset, I really enjoyed reading Mr. Corday's book about how the show got started and all that it takes to keep my favorite soap opera on the air.
I also enjoyed reading about the people who play the characters on the program. I hope the show continues for many, many more years.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribly written/edited. It's a shame because the story itself was compelling; I was so wanting it to work. Read like a disjointed high school graduation speech.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was interesting. I was expecting more. No amazing secrets revealed or anything.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While The Days of our Lives hit daytime soap serial might be pure fiction, the life of its Executive Producer, Ken Corday, is not and lends familiarity into real life situations, despite his infamous family. This shows that even the rich and famous are only human, too.

On the jacket, a very clear description of the book’s contents can be found: The True Story of one Family’s Dream and the Untold History of Days of our Lives. Ken Corday writes beautifully as he opens up to the world about his family, background and events leading up to the creation of one of America’s top daytime soaps, Days of our Lives.

Originally a dream of his father and mother, Ted and Betty Corday, the family moved from New York to Los Angeles, bringing their dream to life. Unfortunately, Ted Corday found out soon after production began that he was terminally ill. Cancer reared its evil head, not showing any favoritism among its countless victims. Upon learning the devastating news, Ted Corday enlisted the assistance of William (Bill) Bell to write for the show and keep it alive, and it was under Bell’s brilliant and imaginative mind that it became number one, bringing top ratings to NBC.

Betty Corday took the helm of control, running it as tightly as a mother runs a home full of children before becoming ill herself and turned it over to son, Ken Corday, in the late 70s. Interestingly enough, Ken Corday was, and still is, a musician and though he didn’t really want to be in charge of the show, took it over and has been running it ever since.

Tragedy did not strike only the characters plotted into the scenes unfolding on the screen, but in the Corday family as well. Ken Corday’s older brother Chris committed suicide, though he didn’t dwell on that particular subject in the book, he did specify that to this day, none of the characters in Days of our Lives has ever committed suicide, despite all the adversities they’ve encountered.

I found the book to be extremely interesting as it brought to life the many facets involved in producing a show of this nature and magnitude, keeping it alive for many, many years and how despite their own family’s misfortunes, the Cordays were able to stay close-knit, loving and caring amongst themselves and the crew and cast of the longtime running show. Also included were pictures of the Corday family, cast and award ceremonies, which added an extremely real touch to the story inside the cover. And I was very surprised to learn that Mr. Corday also composes the music played on the show. Bravo, Mr. Corday. Well done, indeed!

[Once Upon a Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I had hoped for more of an inside scoop but aside from some info on contract negotiations with the network and the weird Melaswen storyline (but no real explanation why the cast weren’t told their characters weren’t really dead - not sure I believe it was all planned from the start) it was mostly a family history (I skipped the ancestor section as didn’t interest me) and lots of filler going though characters and their actors one by one…

[Muffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Some interesting things from his life, some interesting history of Days of Our Lives, and a whole lot of filler (including chapters on his favorite male and female cast members and favorite villains).

[David Palazzolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more day to day stuff on the set and what I got was a book that felt like an expanded magazine fluff piece writ large. Not to say I didn’t find things of interest, just did not get what I hoped for

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read - and I don't think I ever watched Days of Our Lives.

[Cherie Williams Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about my favorite soap

[My Book Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corday tells the touching story of how his father created the long-running daytime soap and how his mother took over the show when her husband succumbed to cancer. The mix of family history, show history, and the happenings of the present-day ratings game and budget cuts is perfect. Even as a viewer of more than a decade, I learned quite a bit about Days of our Lives. I consider this a must read for fans of the genre and those interested in the history of television.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having inherited a love for the series from my younger years, spent at home with my mother, I enjoyed this quick and easy read about the soap opera dynasty and the story of the family who created it. While there isn't a lot in terms of substance or deep secrets revealed, I wasn't expecting it to be such and therefore did not feel disappointed by its mostly light tone. I would only recommend this book to people who watch Days of Our Lives and have watched it for some time.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The touching story of how Corday's father created the long-running daytime soap and how his mother took over the show when her husband succumbed to cancer. Betty is one impressive woman!!

I learned quite a bit about the show, the family, and some television history (which is, of course, always a subject of interest for me).

[Lisa]

If you love the show Days of our lives, then this book is for you. This book gives you insights in to how the show was created and what's kept the show on the air for more then forty years. If you are hoping to hear a lot about your favorite character or actor, then don't bother. This is Ken's book and talks about his family's dream and how they made their dreams come true.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read if you are or have been a fan of Days of Our Lives. Nothing super groundbreaking, although interesting to think of a tv show as a family business.