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Michael Graziadei On His Y&R Return: "It Felt Like Coming Home!"

Courtesy/IMDB

Courtesy/IMDB

On Thursday’s episode of The Young and the Restless, fan favorite Michael Graziadei begins his guest appearance when he returns as Daniel Romalotti.  That will put Graz back in the orbit of his on-screen mother Phyllis, played by Gina Tognoni, and his half-sister Summer, played by Hunter King.

Daniel’s return to Genoa City is timed just as Summer is soon to be married to Luca (Miles Gaston Villanueva), and viewers will have to tune-in to see just what Daniel thinks of the not-to-be-trusted Luca, and just how he figures into the drama that is about to go down.

On-Air On-Soaps caught up recently with Graziadei when he spoke of returning to the set of the CBS Daytime drama series and how the return came about. Michael recalled: “I got a call from Y&R asking me to come back.  It worked perfectly with my schedule as I have been shooting a show in L.A,  Good Girls Revolt for Amazon Prime, and I told them as long as you guys can work out the dates, I said, ‘Why not?’  They asked me to come back for story surrounding the 11,000 episode celebration.”

This is the first time fans will see Michael in scenes on-screen with Gina Tognoni as Phyllis. The role was previously played by GH’s Michelle Stafford.  Michael said of working with the two-time Daytime Emmy winning dynamo: “Gina is wonderful!  I knew her before for years, but never had the opportunity to work with her.  I got to work with her, and it was great.”

When he returned to Y&R to tape the episodes that viewers will see beginning today it was very special to Graz:  “It was like coming home.  You see all the faces of the people you loved and cared about all these years. “

Of course, Y&R fans remember Michael paired with Camryn Grimes before Cassie Newman died.  When Michael returned to Y&R for this visit he saw Grimes in her newest incarnation as Mariah!  He commented: “Wow!  They have her playing a whole different character now!

Several years ago, Graziadei make the decision to exit Y&R, and here he tell us why:  “It was super tough decision, and as I said being back here felt like I was coming home.  This was my family. But at the time I was trying to do guest spots on primetime and movies and what not, knowing that at some point, whether you are fired, or you decide to leave on your own there is a whole other reality out there that you have to face.  I tried to prepare myself for it as best as I could.  I just felt like I just had really done so much here that I didn’t know what else I could possibly accomplish, that I wasn’t already doing.  And I wanted to take that leap of faith and challenge myself, and see if I could have a career in this industry outside of The Young and the Restless.  It has worked out really well, and I am living the dream!”

So, are you looking forward to seeing Michael today on Y&R?  Will Daniel protect Summer for marrying Luca at any cost? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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I have never been happier than to see Michael’s beautiful, familiar face ( sans facial hair, LOL) on Y&R.
Love him to pieces. He is truly exhibiting his Italian roots by his polished, Milanese fashion sense.
Why is he back? Why now? To support his sister? Help his mother and everyone else ‘unmask’ the villainous Luca?
Regardless….I hope he stays a while.

Eager to have Daniel back on the canvas. I think Genoa City and do well with some fresh (although familiar) air to liven up proceedings.

Unanswered questions..
Enquiring minds want to know;
How long will Michael Graziadei be with Y&R..

( a guest appearance, how long?
A full return?

What’s up ??

he’s working on a series he’s not staying

Thanks, davlestev1..
awwww I don’t like that! I want him to stay 🙁

It was so nice to see Daniel back. Waiting patiently for him to meet up with Cassie look-a-like Mariah! O.M.G. Would it ever be something to see Daniel get involved with Mariah, not just because of the reaction Kevin would have ( since Kevin was his best friend) but what would it do to Sharon? What GREAT writing /acting lately. I cried over Adam getting 10 yrs. Chelsea acted her heart out with these scenes and Adam was nothing less than fantastic as usual. The only part of the show that was a bummer was too much Summer. Sooooooo great to see Travis back. I just love him & Victoria and he’s not hard on the eyes either.

LOVE the guy. He smiles with his eyes.

The day ahead show in Canada today is not to be missed. The interaction between Mariah and Daniel was short with a promise of the excitement ahead. So great to have him back for a visit.

Hopefully he is back for four episodes to take Summer to never never land!

If he takes Summer and Luca to never never land let him take Stitch with him.

…..to the island of Forgotten Toys

I love the fact that Michael Graz is back, just wish he’d get rid of that Cheech and Chong facial hair but I’m guessing he has to have it for the role he’s playing on another series with Amazon Prime. Still, it does not look good on him. Other than that, I love having him back even if it is only for a short stint.

He doesn’t stay permanently in character the facial hair is MOST likely something Michael Graziadei likes for hisself

FINALLY a good episode of Y&R! Maybe the best so far, this year? Adam going away to prison and him looking back at Victor, Nikki, Chelsea, Conner and Nick as he walked away in shackles was great acting! [No words necessary] Adam being abducted by Victor, a twist! Dylan taking a swipe at Victor when Victor called him “Boy!” Glummer and Puka were tolerable. But the best part was Daniel. Never a big fan BUT he lit up and fit in the room quite nicely. I looked at him and wondered what he was up to with that facial hair? Wild Bill Hickok? THEN Red makes a comment about him fighting in the Civil War! General Custer? Funny stuff. Those two seemed to fit as mother and son. We’ll see, only there first episode on Thursday. I cannot wait to see Daniel and Mariah together. I cannot BELIEVE I am excited about tomorrow’s Y&R!

I wish he would rejoin the cast again and not be just a guest appearance he could bring so much to the show again. Have missed him so much he is a good actor and I am glad he has a life after Young and the Restless but really wish he would come back at least for awhile and stir things up.

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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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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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