A number of cast members on Days of Our Lives have signed a petition calling for the removal of executive producer Albert Alarr after an internal investigation and a damning report last month from Deadline uncovered a trove of misconduct allegations against the longtime leader.
“As a result of said actions of the current [co-] executive producer Albert Alarr, mentioned in the report, many of us feel — and will continue to feel — very uncomfortable and distraught should he stay involved with the show,” the petition states, per Deadline. “Many of us have either been physically or verbally violated by him, including witnessing those objectionable and offensive actions.”
Over 25 cast members have signed the petition to replace the co-executive producer, who has remained in charge of the show despite the allegations.
“We all want to make the most of this significant moment, not just for us in entertainment, but for our loyal viewers and the culture as a whole,” the petition continues.
The petition comes just days after Deadline revealed Alarr was being investigated by Sony after a female employee claimed women had been disproportionately affected by recent layoffs. The internal investigation brought forth other complaints against Alarr besides the gender disparities. Sources cited in the Deadline report claimed he had a habit of “belittling people” since he was named co-executive producer in 2015, after which he “became much more tyrannical.”
“I think he became much more aware of his unilateral power, and that Ken [Corday] wasn’t going to be involved in decision-making,” one source alleged, referring to the show’s other executive producer. “I think [Alarr] took the ball and ran with it, and I think it’s ruined the show.”
Since the report was released on July 25, a number of former and current staffers from the soap opera have come forward with their own accounts of Alarr’s behavior on set.
Sources claimed Alarr would regularly point out “every actress’ body image insecurities,” which one insider said was intended “to be humiliating in front of an all-male crew.” They also corroborated the previous allegations that Alarr was known for giving “the most vulgar, crass” directing notes, with one source claiming he sometimes gave them over a loudspeaker.
At least three sources corroborated an instance where Alarr sexually propositioned an actress in front of several crew members on her last day of filming.
One Days of Our Lives actress claimed he was often “flirtatious” with her. “If he said something derogatory or sexual, it always came with a chuckle and, ‘A good thing there’s no HR,'” she said. “I can’t tell you the amount of times I heard that.”
Despite the allegations, Corday opted to keep Alarr on the show, even after having a meeting with the Sony HR investigator and some of the staff members who reported their issues in the internal probe. Alarr was given a written warning and was asked to undergo training.
Multiple sources told Deadline they felt “upset” by the lack of action being taken, especially from Corday.
“I was always grateful to Ken, and I always had hopes that he would do the right thing, and what we’re seeing is that he’s not, and that’s very sad to me,” a longtime staffer said. “It’s very sad that he’s chosen one person over the entirety of the show, and the integrity of the show.”