Albert Alarr is out as co-executive producer and director at Days of our Lives. His dismissal comes nearly two weeks after a bombshell report revealed that Alarr had been investigated for alleged inappropriate comments and touching, as well as creating a toxic environment on the show.
Janet Drucker, a producer at DAYS, will replace Alarr as co-executive producer.
"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," DAYS executive producer Ken Corday said in an email to the DAYS cast and crew. "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."
Peter Reckell (Bo Brady) took to social media to wish Drucker well and said of her promotion, "She has been an integral part of the show since I started. DOOL is in good hands!"
After news of Alarr's dismissal hit the Internet, Alarr issued a statement to thewrap.com.
“It is hard to overstate how heartbreaking I find this situation … It’s important to set the record straight. Every day, I worked with hundreds of people, the overwhelming majority of whom would disagree with recent mischaracterizations of me. I have been in this industry for decades, and not a single complaint has ever been made against me until now. Many of the claims recently referenced in the media are simply false. Others have been taken so out of context or are so twisted that they are unrecognizable from the truth. To be clear, this whole situation stems from the animus of just two individuals. Those individuals, at a time of industry-wide cutbacks and economic uncertainty, have been relentlessly angling for greater pay and increased influence on the show, and, it appears, believed that their best strategy to get it was to play on vile stereotypes in order to bring down a Black man in a position of power. I will always be proud of being the only Black director/producer in daytime soap operas. And, while I am devastated by the manner of my departure, I will always treasure my years at Days of our Lives and wish the wildly talented cast and crew the very best for the future.”
Alarr's dismissal follows the submission of a petition signed by more than 25 DAYS cast members -- more than the two Alarr referenced in his statement. Those signing the petition demanded that Alarr be replaced. The petition was started after Deadline reported that DAYS had completed its investigation and gave Alarr a written warning and asked him to undergo training. Alarr was also allowed to remain on as co-EP and director.
"Many of us have either been physically or verbally violated by him, including witnessing those objectionable and offensive actions," the petition stated.
Days of our Lives will return to production on Monday, August 7, following an unexpected week-long pause. The show will take a pre-scheduled hiatus the week of August 14.
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