TV Guide Online
April 12, 2002

MY POV: by Delaina Dixon

Anyone who caught Alison Sweeney (Sami) win the big prize on the "Soap Star" edition of Weakest Link and then tuned in last week to see what she can do on Days of Our Lives wasn't disappointed. Sweeney gave another winning performance, characterizing her daytime persona's eight year battle for Austin's heart with pain, rage, fear and vengeance. The moment she realized that her ruse was up, Sami turned on the sweet talk to try to woo Austin back into her good graces, with Sweeney tapping into the good girl side that only Austin (and Brandon) have been allowed to see. When that didn't work, and Austin left Sami for good, Sweeney let the tears fall and fall and fall. But even as she crumpled into a ball on the floor of her honeymoon suite, Sweeney never let us forget that Sami's rage would become stronger, flipping instantaneously between the two emotions. When Sami caught Austin planting a passionate kiss on Nicole, the look on Sweeney's face — one of utmost disgust — was priceless. It's been a while since Days has seen its stars on the Emmy boards, but Sweeney has definitely knocked out a performance that would look good on any reel.