In a week that featured heartbreaking performances from the cast of Days of our Lives in the episodes surrounding the funeral of John Black, viewers reached for the hankies too many times to count, because as we watched John’s loved ones grieve, at the same time we watched the late Drake Hogestyn’s co-stars and friends, also having a way to pay tribute to the man that will always be remembered as the long-running soap opera’s, MVP.
Head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, and the Days of our Lives writing team, did an exquisite job of weaving moments from Drake’s real-life into the many remembrances of John Black and eulogies. However, the most touching came from Christopher Sean (Paul) when at the end of the June 10th episode, Paul took to the lectern to share his grief over the loss of his dad. As DAYS viewers know, Paul didn’t grow up with John as his dad. They found each other late in life, and Paul was a professional baseball player (just like Drake, and just as John had dreams of being). In addition, Paul was gay, and John accepted him fully throughout the time they had together. So, when Christopher Sean delivered his monologue, it was so heartfelt and so beautifully paced, that come Daytime Emmy time next year, he has the scene that could win him gold! And, wouldn’t that be a perfect capper to honor Drake Hogestyn? The words of Paul’s tribute to John is below, which encapsulated the history of their father/son relationship.
“I’m relatively new to this family. I didn’t find out John was my dad until I was an adult, which unfortunately meant, well, he wasn’t my first little league coach like he was for Eric and Carrie, who I’m told he was awesome, even though he would argue with the ump once in awhile. Sports can bring people together, and baseball definitely did that for me and John, and our love of the game. It gave us a way to bond, playing catch and hitting at the batting cage.”
“Those are some of the memories that I’m gonna cherish most about my dad. You know, even when I beamed him in the eye and gave him a black guy right before his wedding …. it was totally his fault. … he wouldn’t let me take the blame. He may have missed that pass, but man, he had mad skills when he was on that diamond. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he played pro ball in a past life. Maybe he threw a pitch or two for his favorite team … the New York Yankees. He was also a Cubs fan too, of course, and a huge fan of Ryne Sandberg, the greatest second baseman of all time. Dad, himself was a terrific second baseman. And of course, why wouldn’t he be? He had all the qualities: agility, quick thinking, but most of all, he had the ability to pivot.”
“No one had more grace than John when he’d pivot. I mean, no matter what the world threw at him: amnesia, paralysis … a long lost son. He just rolled with the punches and kept going. You know, baseball doesn’t have a clock. Theoretically, a game can go on forever, but off the field, sadly, time runs out. I wish I could have spent more time with my dad. I wish that he would be there for when Andrew and I get married, but through all the time that I was lucky enough to have with my dad …he made me feel loved. He made me feel accepted. So, every time I see a rainbow up high, or a baseball in the sky, I’m going to think of you, Dad. I love you, Dad. I can’t way to play another game of baseball with you again.”
For his heart-tugging work, Michael Fairman TV names Days of our Lives star Christopher Sean, the Power Performance of the Week. It’s fitting we acknowledge Christopher today on ‘Father’s Day’ for Paul’s tribute to his dad, John Black, which illustrates the true love between a father and a son, even against all odds. Now let us know, if you agree with our pick of ‘Days of our Lives’ star, Christopher Sean for the ‘Power Performance of the Week,’ and if you were moved to tears during Paul’s speech at John’s funeral, via the comment section below. And in case you missed it, Christopher shared some very heartfelt memories of Drake’s during the Michael Fairman Channel’s tribute to the beloved star. You can check that out below.
