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Michael Weatherly To Exit TV's Most-Watched Drama NCIS!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Soap fans remember Michael Weatherly in his younger leading man days as Cooper Alden on ABC’s Loving, which then morphed into The City, before being cancelled.   It was there he met his first wife The Young and the Restless Amelia Heinle (Victoria), who played Steffi Brewster on the ABC soap.  The two have a son together as well.

Weatherly over the past 13 years has become one of the beloved faces of primetime television in his role as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo on CBS’ bonafide smash hit NCIS.   On Tuesday, reports surfaced that Weatherly is exiting the show after his long-running tenure and success.

CBS said in a statement: “After 13 years on NCIS, Michael Weatherly is leaving the show at the end of this season. He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as ‘Very’ Special Agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make NCIS what it is today – the No. 1 drama in the world. W e thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal.”

Meanwhile, Weatherly took to his Twitter account to say:  “DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn’t have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons. Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. I will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over the world – THANK YOU, it’s been a fantastic ride!”

All of this comes just four days after, Michael pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and was sentenced to a three-month alcohol and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving program.   However, Michael will still be working with CBS in the future, he has a development deal with studio counterpart CBS Television Studios.

So, do you remember Michael as Cooper Alden on Loving? Do you watch him on NCIS? Suprised to hear he is departing the wildly-successful series? Comment below!

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Perhaps Days will bring him in..
Days has a hot recorded for bringing in new players.
yah never know.lol

cool can’t afford him what planet do u live in?

I wasn’t much of a “Loving” fan, but I certainly miss the days when there were that many daytime soaps to watch! I can see where Michael would be ready to take on another character. It’s hard for actors to play the same character year after year and maintain other ranges in their acting abilities. I do think it would be funny/cool if he did a 1 or 2 episode cameo on GH. Wouldn’t be the first time they revisted “Loving.”

You’ll be missed on NCIS but I will follow you on whatever show you land on! Kinda hope it is a comedy as that seems to be your strong suit!

Have liked Michael since his ‘Dark Angel’ days with Jessica Alba. And he has certainly played a big part as Anthony DiNozzo in the success of NCIS (one of my favorite shows). But 13 years on the same show is a long time. Maybe he just feels he wants a change…especially since Ziva isn’t there anymore. The show seemed to lose it’s luster for me when she left…and I think for his DiNozzo character. He’ll be hard to replace.

I was taping NCIS for a friend who lives in another country, and I got hooked into TIVA. When she left, I quit watching it, and my friend lost interest too. For most women viewers, we’ve gotta have some romance! I am hoping against hope that Cote de Pablo will make a guest appearance to usher Michael out.

I think I might have kept watching if Tony had made any references at all to keeping in touch with Ziva, pining for her, but no, just like a soap, he moved on. That is not what we ladies wanted to see.

I was writing a reply and my computer decided to update and boom, I only left part of a reply. In any case, the new girl seems to need coddling. Ziva could take care of everyone, and I really miss that.

I’m going to miss Michael on NCIS.

Wow. That’s a surprise. He’s So Great on #NCIS. MY HUBBY loves this Show. Never misses it. How will He be written out. That will be interesting. Big void when His character leaves

Bring him to Bold and Beautiful for Brooke!!!

Michael Weatherly is too good for that washed up blonde.

Could t agree with you more.

he is the main reason I watch NCIS and especially Robert Wagner’s appearances. He will be missed and I will probably move on from NCIS.

I’m surprised he’s leaving.

I’ve watched NCIS from the premiere episode to last night’s. Michael’s infusion of his own charm into Tony’s persona has made Agent DiNozzo more bearable, because Tony has so often been a louse and a bully when it came to his colleagues. Tony has called Tim every McName in the book and belittled him at every opportunity. However, I think it will be a huge loss to the show when Michael exits.

I wish him the very best in his new pursuits, and look forward to seeing him in future primetime CBS shows. He’s definitely a keeper!

Of course I remember him from LOVING! I had a huge crush on him. I read an interview back then wherein he stated he loved Elvis Costello’s music. So I bought a CD. He was right. He is good.

Michael Weatherly is that rare talent that can do BOTH comedy and drama especially well. He will be just fine without NCIS.

I would love to watch him on Y&R as the new Billy. And send Jason Thompson back to GH as Patrick . So he can stay and Emma can stay. Because If Michael Weatherly plays billy he can be reunited with his real life wife. Its a major win-win. Its the perfect solution. He could play the perfect Billy and paired up with Amelia.

Um, I doubt he would go back to daytime, and he and Amelia have a child together but have been divorced for many years now.

Isn’t Amelia married to the guy who played her Y & R husband J.T.? I didn’t know she was married before

Yes, She is married to the actor that played J.T., but back when her and Michael were on Loving they were married and had a child. Many years ago, and it was only for a couple of years.

Weatherly married his Loving/The City co-star Amelia Heinle in February 1995.[1] Heinle has one son with Weatherly.[1] The couple divorced in 1997.[1]

Billy Miller, Billy Miller, Billy Miller !!! ex-Billy Abbott character on Young & Restless – he is perfect for this role – grab him!!!

Also, I would like to see Billy Miller back on Y & R. He was the best Billyt Abbott EVER!

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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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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