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Melody Thomas Scott's 35 Years On Y&R Celebration Featuring Heartfelt Speeches From Joshua Morrow, Eric Braeden … and Melody!

Photo Credit: Jeremy Fraser/LA Exposures

Earlier this week, the iconic Melody Thomas Scott of The Young and the Restless celebrated her 35th anniversary as the indomitable Nikki Newman with a heartfelt on set celebration that was attended by her cast mates, crew, CBS network brass, show co-creator Lee Phillip Bell, and invited guests, press, and family members.

Any Melody event would not be complete without an ode to Melody’s favorite show, “I Love Lucy”, and that was done via a very special cake made for the ceremony, plus there were some very special pictures of Melody over the years at Y&R that served as the backdrop.

The festivities kicked-off with current Y&R executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps saying a few words in honor of Melody and then what followed were some heartfelt, and often times emotional speeches, that also came with the perfect amount of a dash of humor to strike the balance of the afternoon celebration.  Melody’s on-screen son, Joshua Morrow (Nick) next addressed the crowd on the CBS soundstage and shared his thoughts on the day’s honoree! 

Photo Credit: MF Soaps Inc.

JOSHUA MORROW:  The first time I met Mel, and I don’t know if she remembers this, but Nikki was coming in hammered staggering into a church.  And Marnie Saitta (former, Y&R casting director) walked me in and said, “That’s going to be your mom,” and Mel as Nikki was a mess, but I thought, “She’s hot!”  (Laughs)  The next day I worked,  she invited me into her dressing room to talk and to meet me.  I, just straight off the bus from Oklahoma, did not realize how you should treat a woman in Hollywood, and I asked her how old she was!  Melody said, “Why don’t you guess?”  I didn’t know how the game was played and so I guessed and nailed it! And she looked at me and said, “Most people guess much younger.”  There was like an uncomfortable nine seconds.  So then she said, “I’m just messing with you.”  (Laughs)   Melody has always been my second mother.  She gave me and my wife Tobe one of the coolest things ever.  She asked me if she could throw my wife a baby shower, and I was like “cool”.  And it turned out to be this ginormous party! We were really touched that you did that for us and I will never, ever forget it.  The fact that you don’t have ten Daytime Emmys is a joke to me.  You are incredible, and I am completely honored to play your son.  I remember at one point I said to her, “I can’t call you Mel anymore, I want to call you “Mom”’, and she said, “I would be upset if you didn’t.”   I love this woman.  Thank you so much for all that you have taught me, and I love you.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Fraser/LA Exposures

Next, long time scene partner Eric Braeden (Victor) who along with Melody for decades has created The Young and the Restless most enduring supercouple Victor and Nikki, spoke emotionally and with tears at how much working with her has meant to him. 

ERIC BRAEDEN:   34 years I have known Melody, and the thing is about this business is we work together and then we each go home, and we don’t really get to know each other that well.  And yet, when we work together, I feel at home.   I remember the first time that Bill Bell had written a scene where Nikki asks Victor about his childhood, and after doing that scene I knew I was going to stay at Y&R because it allowed me, and it allowed her, to show vulnerability. That is the secret to success in this business, pure and simple. I have never found that with anyone else on this show as much as with Melody.  So I want to thank you for over 30 years of wonderful working conditions. I think somewhere along the line … we love each other.

Finally, the woman of the hour, and of the last 35 years in Genoa City, who has given so much and breathed life into Nikki Newman addressed the guests.  In an emotional beginning, Melody shared a part of her difficult childhood, and how Y&R has truly become her family.   She then shared how becoming Nikki on Y&R has changed her life in more ways than one.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Frazer/LA Exposures

MELODY THOMAS SCOTT:  In February 1979, the most prolific writers in television, Lee and Bill Bell decided that I would be a suitable replacement for the actress playing Nikki Newman. I had never seen this show called The Young and the Restless, but it was a job and I knew I could pay my rent for the next 13 weeks, and I got to spend my time in my haven … a soundstage.  My life was definitely continuing to improve, not only did their decision give me a job, but it also eventually gave me my husband, Edward Scott, 28 years and counting, and my perfect glorious children … and then later two grandchildren.  And most of all friends, who are most definitely my family  All the wonderful people standing here right now, you don’t know this, but you contribute to the joy that surges through me every time I walk through this building – everyone of you – cast mates, crew, staff, all of you.  I might be tired or snappy, or worried that I haven’t learned my lines yet, but just your simple, “Morning Mel” it warms my heart.  Your love and support, and you humor, brightens my day in more ways that I can ever express.  And as lovely as this celebration is for me, it’s for all of you and my wonderful fans.  What you all have given me; I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, not even an Emmy. (Laughs)  None of this would be possible without the continued love and support of CBS, Sony, and the Bell family.  I must thank the ones who started it all the beloved Lee and Bill Bell.  I am sure you were unaware at just how you changed my life that day.  But you all … thank you for this life, a life, my life, and my family.  I love you all so much!

So, what do you think about the speeches made by Joshua, Eric and Melody on this incredible milestone?  Share your thoughts below! And be on the lookout for more from the party in the days ahead!

 

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Sometimes there is so much negative stuff to dwell on it is nice to be reminded that love, friendship and respect still exists– and Mel seems to have inspired it and appreciates it– so congrats on 35 years–

side note– I didn’t know she replaced someone else, I thought she was the one and only Nikki– does anyone remember or know who the actress she replaced was?

I briefly watched the show in the late 70s(no recording back then so id switch back and forth with another show) when it was about the Brooks sisters…i couldnt remember who the original Niki was so i googled it and she was Erica Hope. i never really followed the show(i watch off and on)…i just like to tune in back then to see those hot Brook sisters!!!

Well said Mary SF!!! I thought it was incredibly heartfelt and just shows how close they people get working day in and day out with all the emotions that they play. She is a lovely lady and I hope she is on for many more years!

i could really feel & sense real emotion in melody & joshua’s speech – eric’s speech not so much…………….jmo

Joshua’s speech is really heartfelt.

Erica Hope. As I dimly recall she had a less warm take on the role than what Melanie brought to it.

Melanie who?

Everybody all together now …

Aaaaaawwwwwwww……

Congrats, Ms Thomas-Scott, on 35 wonderful years of bringing Nikki to the fans. And BTW, what the heck is your secret? I swear, we started out the same age, but you look marvelous and me … well, let’s just not mention that! 🙂
wolfy

I’m not a fan of Y&R, but I have seen MTS in a couple movies. She played young Marnie in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie. Her scenes were with Bruce Dern and Louise Latham. Those scenes revealed why Marnie grew up with a hatred for men. Tippi Hedren was adult Marnie. The movie has a better likeness now then it did in 1964.

love her so much. 35 years. wow wow wow. we’re all aging together! great work through the years MTS.

I remember when Melody replaced Erica! Erica wasn’t on very long at all. Her story never really got hot and heavy until Melody came aboard.

I think she is wonderful! Started watching about 5 years ago and its my favorite soap

They all sort of spoke for all of out here. They are our extend family, and we love them. We look forward to seeing them every weekday, The fact that they are acting is not important — we are the invisible family members on the set. Love to all.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

UN PETIT COUCOU DE FRANCE POUR DIRE FELICITATION DEPUIS DES ANNEES QUI NOUS FAIT TOUT LES JOURS DE VOUS SUIVRE ET QUE D AMITIEES A VOUS MELODY AINSI QUE TOUTE L EQUIPE DE Y&R MERCI

I met Mel on a visit to Toronto a couple of years ago and she was as lovely and as beautiful as you see on Y&R. She was incredibly friendly to me and my daughter and my granddaughter and took pictures with all of us. She even remembered tweeting with us. She is a darling woman and I have always loved “Nikki”. Its nice to see that Mel is just as lovely as Nikki! Happy 35 years Mel and many more!

I think Melody Thomas Scott gets more and more beautiful. She’s timeless. Great actress. To 35 more great years! Congratulations; and I Love Lucy is one of my all-time favorite shows, too!

What a wonderful tribute; and so well deserved! MY GOD, why doesn’t she have an EMMY!!??? It’s completely ludicrous. Melody/Nikki is a daytime GODDESS! Congratulations to her!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. YOUR JUST AS BEAUTIFUL NOW AS YOU WERE WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED Y&R.

Happy Anniversary to Melody Thomas Scott.

It is truly wonderful to hear all of the heartfelt wishes and respect from your fellow castmates.

I am a long time viewer of the show, having watched the first episode when I was on spring break from school!

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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