Connect with us

News

131

Michelle Stafford Shares Her Thoughts On If Y&R Will Recast The Role Of Phyllis!

In a fantastic farewell interview by Stephanie Sloane in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, one of the best actresses to ever grace the daytime genre, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) talks about: her decision to leave the number one soap after15 years, if the latest Y&R regime change (Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith) had anything to do with her exit, her plans for the future, if she would consider doing another soap, and how she would feel if Y&R was to recast the role of fiery Phyllis!

In an excerpt, regarding if the show will recast the role, Michelle related, “You know what? Let’s be honest with this. I absolutely think they will, if they haven’t already done that. They are just going to be quiet about it. And I say this because the character is so instrumental in the show, and I really, really take it as a compliment that they don’t want to lose the character.”

Later in discussing a recast,  Michelle added : “And I am not upset if they recast.  I totally understand.  Even when I called Angelica McDaniel (CBS Entertainment Daytime VP), I said, ‘You will probably recast.’ And she said, “No, no, no. We won’t recast.”  And I said, “Well, I have some ideas, if you are interested.”

Make sure to pick up your copy of  SOD and read the entire interview!  Now let us know, what do you think The Young and the Restless will do, and should do?  Do you think they need the role of Phyllis on the canvas?  If so, since Michelle has departed the series, should they recast it? If so, with who would you suggest? And if they shouldn’t recast it, do you think they should just keep Phyllis off the canvas, and see if one day, Michelle would want to return, even though she has said she is completely done?  Weigh-in!

 

Leave a comment | 131 Comments

131 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Kelly Sullivan as Phylis…then maybe ill tune back for that.

that is an amazing idea

I like that idea too ! I think Kelly would make an excellent Phyllis.

Funny, because that’s what I was thinking.

i think they should not recast phyllis and bring the old phyllis back please i love her to death theres no one like phyllis and do not let sharon get with nick and i hope the truth c ome out about summer really being nick kid and not jack please

I think they should try and bring the old Phyllis back but not recast. It will be very hard for someone to fit the old Phyllis’ SHOES!! You guys are going to mess Y&R up. I do not like the new Abby or the guy that plays Jack’s son. It is hard to recast some of the cast.

Kelly Sullivan as any character would make me tune in. Connie and Jason (Steve Burton) would be great! 😉 Plus Kelly has proved what she can do with a recast role!

I think they should bring the old Phyllis back. Fans have been waiting for her to wake up and put Sharon in her well earned place. Phyllis has become a major fixture in the show and has earned her place unlike others

They’ve tried recasting this role before and it didn’t work. I’d suggest bringing Ed Scott back as executive producer and rehiring Kay Alden and John Smith as head writers and see if she’d return then. Even if she didn’t, the show would be watchable again so the viewers would win either way.

I totally agree with u on that. This team had Bill Bell vision of this show.

Sarah J Brown needs to dye her hair red & take over the Phyllis role! She’s perfect for it!!!!

Sarah would be good but I think she may be a little to young for the part

I said Sarah Brown as well on daytime confidential and I was told that JFP and Sarah are not friends. Sarah not FOJ (friends of Jill) I think Sarah would killed the role… Alot of people want Robin Christopher because she’s FOJ like Burton….

I agree Ed Scott/Alden/Smith would be perfect combo, but that would admit that Sony failed with LML, MAB, JF/JG and Sony doesn’t want Bill Bell people, that why Scott/Alden at B&B.

Let Michelle as Phyllis lapse into a coma and go into a rehab facility…….mentions can be made to her from time to time. In the future, she may want to reprise her role and if not, she could be recast by another actress, but one who has some memory issues! In my mind perfect solution. For the fans she is not gone, and the hope of a return is always possible.

Genie Francis’ Laura languished in a coma for 10 years give or take a few wake ups during sweeps periods…. certainly if it worked for her it could work for Michelle.

YES!!!!

I don’t think they should recast Phyllis’s role. Michelle Stafford is a great actress and she will be difficult to follow behind just as Jeanne(God bless her soul). I did not care for Phyllis’s. I am a Sharon fan though they have reduced her to nothing; however , I will give Michelle Stafford her Emmy. She is great!

I to am a sharon fan, and I hate what the writers have done to her! I am not a fan of Phyllis , that being said I think they should recast, there is just way to much story left to tell, but I don’t think the Y&R writers can pull it off…..they don’t seem to have any good ideas, they just throw something against the wall to see what sticks… they just make up stuff, it doesn’t fit with the original concept of the show, and I have watched for 40 years, except when I took ten years off, got tired of what was going on, may need to take a break again if they don’t fire the JFP….maybe Josh would be better if she wasn’t around.. I don’t know the answer!

.
Michelle Stafford owns Phyllis..
Michelle is very unique with her portrayal of Phyllis..
A recast will fail because whomever could never be close to the Phyllis I know and love.
I already miss her…
Michelle Stafford is Phyllis and Phyllis is Michelle Stafford …

Agreed 100%

I soooo agree! Michelle stafford please come back,she did that role

Torn on this one. I love Michelle she is a wonderful actress. I say recast only if it is necessary for the story. If it’s not, Red will just have to lie in a coma until Michelle hopefully reconsiders her position and return.

suggestions who can play phyllis. robin christopher ex skye gh. liz keifer ex blake guiding light. kelly sullivan connie gh. all of them are terrific actresses.

Love the idea of Liz Keifer!

Yes I was thinking liz too! I love michelle as phyillis…but she movef on…summer nick and jack have to know truth and bat shit crazy sharon needs to go down…they must recast…and I’ve been a faithful watcher for almost 30 years!

Some roles are near impossible to recast. All actresses mentioned so far are terrific, but they aren’t Phyllis. I hope there is no recast. But I also hope they end this stupid storyline and allow Summer to know Nick is her father. I HATE it!!!

I agree all of the actresses named are terrific, but Michelle Stafford is an original and that is what makes Phyllis unique and different. Just like there are many violins that make beautiful music, the sweetest music is played by a stradivarius, and that is what MS is, an actress that played all of Phyllis’s complex layers to the sweetest most entrancing music.

I agree with deborah nash. I feel that leaving the story with Summer’s parternity left open makes it harder having Phyllis gone Revealing the truth will take away the loss of Phyllis a lot. We then could focus on Nick and Summer reuniting as father and daughter, but leaving that paternity issue open makes it a double loss with Phyllis gone. Clean up the paternity and then move on until the Phyllis issue is resolved. I can’t stand having Summer not be a Newman.

sharon will be forced to tell when noah begins to date summer.

Well I don’t think recasting now would be a good idea– I would wait at least a year before making that move if I were in charge. And if Phyllis has suffered head trauma they can change the character’s personality, so NuPhyllis wouldn’t have to be like MS’s Phyllis. As much as I love MS portrayal –the character might benefit being off canvas for awhile. Her and Jack living happily ever after was never going to happen– this way neither one has to hurt the other– this time they were parted by circumstances not cheating. Also if she had stay they might have eventually hooked her up with Dylan– and nobody wants that. So let’s see what happens– but for now they would be fools if they recast too soon.

Jamie Luner(ex-Liza, AMC, Lexi, MP) she would be the PERFECT Phyllis, although I sure as hell wouldn’t wanna work for Jill Farren Phelps, she is awful!!!!!!!

i agree with you richard. jamie luner would be the perfect phyllis. jamie is a terrific actress. jill farren phelps is a soap killer. jill needs to be fired now.

Agreed …. Jill Farren Phelps destroyed the now defunct Guiding Light!!!

i am sorry but Michelle Stafford is one in a million no one can play Phyllis like she can she is the best

Yes, Robin Christopher can. She can even play her better.

Liz Kiefer or Kelly Sullivan but not too soon! Please NOT Robin Christopher.

Hello??? ROBIN CHRISTOPHER!!!!!!!!!!

Paging Robin Christopher….

They need Phyllis, but they need decent writing much more.

Michelle Stafford made the part of Phyllis her own from the VERY beginning! There is NO ONE I can even think of playing the role!!! And the chemistry( or lack thereof LOL) between her and each and every actor she interacted with is unique! She is irreplacable! (sic) Put her in a coma and hope she changes her mind! But, please, please, PLEASE let Nick find out that he really IS Summer’s dad!! Most heartbreaking story ever and I hate that they took Sharon’s character that far down!

I really hate this show now, it used to be such a part of my life, but now I have not watched in a long time and have only tuned in the last few weeks because MS is leaving and wanted to see her final scenes. The writing is/was a disapointment but MS is always excellent. I really hate that such a big part of the history over the last few years has been destroyed with the stroke of a pen.

I agree that nick needs to know that summer is his daughter but if noah dates summer Sharon would have to tell nick but I love the charctor of Phyllis so to add fire I think Phyllis should really come back they could make it to where she lives long enough to let the secret out to nick and jack summer

Although I will totally completely, totally miss michelle, phyllis is a much needed character. Just like drusilla was and Im still waiting for her to return. Victoria has been recast and amelia has saved that chatater. RECAST!!!

There are still seem to be huge number of the fans that do not accept AH as Victoria.

Robin Christopher is the only actress who can pull it off. For starters, she’s a far more interesting actress than Michelle Stafford ever will be because she doesn’t have to raise her voice to make a scene interesting.

AMEN! Lets start a Robin Christopher campaign!!

I disagree! Michelle understands the psychological depth of Phyllis’s character; she raises her voice only when she feels others are treating her unjustly and/or she is being defensive … The character of Phyllis is an exceedingly complex one!

Can’t believe nobody said this yet… Tamara Braun!

LOVE Tamara Braun…she would be fantastic as Phyllis. And she kind of has the same body type as MS, which sometimes makes a re-cast easier.

IMO, Tamara Braun was the best “Carly” on GH, too.

Only one actress can play Phyllis Summers, Abbott, Newman: Michelle Staffford!!!

Robin Christopher would be perfect with Peter Bergman. She would be his best leading lady ever. Fingers and toes crossed for her to become Phyliss

They should recast stafford’s char on y&r. Any char really should be recast if storyline needs that character.

Okay MS is Phyllis but her character is needed on
Y&R! I want to through another option out there
Gina Torginio (sc) Diana Malher GUIDING LIGHT!

Actually right now Phyllis isn’t really needed on the show. If she had stayed what would they do- break up her and Jack, which would be a repeat. Daniel is gone with Lucy, and Summer is grown up. I don’t want to watch Phyllis fight Avery for Nick– ala shades of B&B fixation with triangles until the point of barfing. Worse yet they could hook her up with Dylan- yipes.
No, I think this is the perfect time for the character to be off canvas for a while. Have Sharon and Nick get back together and on their wedding day, in a year or so, Phyllis wakes up from her coma and crashes the wedding to reveal Nick is really Summer’s father. At that time if MS still not interested in coming back, then by all means recast.

Liz (blake) I think she would be awesome

MSLane … I just thought the same thing this week – Gina Tognoni would be the only daytime actress that is capable of filling Michelle Stafford’s shoes and taking over the role of Phyllis. I loved her as Dinah on Guiding Light and the character of Phyllis isn’t too far off from what Gina played on GL! I want Gina back on daytime television – and how fitting it would be if it were on CBS 🙂

Gina can’t act !

First of all, I am thrilled Summer is Nick’s child. I am not to thrilled about an almost 7 year old character being 18 now. The timing is too jarring because Cassie was 13-15 when she died, which would make her in her 30s by now, which would make Nick and Sharon in their mid to late 40s, which is stretching an already stretched chronology.

ANYWAY, I digress. I am NOT happy about Michelle Stafford leaving. She is Y&R of the 2000s. Anyone throwing stones at Phyllis needs to do the same to Michael and many others. Also, I loved Nick and Sharon, BUT I LOVED Nick and Phyllis. I was hoping they’d get back together.

What an exhausting actor she is.

Thank God she’s gone. I can’t imagine how much less work the crew will have to do now that she’s not chewing the scenery on a daily basis. Can’t even imagine how many eyes she’s put out everytime she flails those arms around.

It’s been time for her to move on for the last 5 years. She’s made it far too clear onscreen how little she values the show and most of her coworkers.

Virtually any recast will be a refreshing change.

Well grab the article and read it she is pretty vain, but I guess if you do not love yourself who will right?

Sometimes they need to let the fans win. I agree that no one could play “Phyllis” like Michelle so I agree with placing her off screen until some future date. Let the authentic “Phyllis” be the one and only. People get associated with certain actors playing certain roles and to bring that to an end by changing the actor does a disservice to the person who is known for the role.

The show shouldn’t suffer because michelle moved on…her character is very much needed

Maybe if Sony/CBS would just get rid of JFP, Josh could do a better job of co-writing with a new person or persons….think I will tweet angelica mcdaniel, head of cbs daytime, and remind her fans are not happy.. of course there is one person who tweets negative stuff everyday and nothing gets done.. so guess time will tell, it will either get better, be cancelled, or I’ll stop watching..

Just curious, how long have you been waiting for it to get better?

CBS executive Angelica McDaniel has been repeatedly mentioned in articles like this one concerning Y&R casting decisions. Her name crops up here and I vividly remember seeing it in a link on this site to an article concerning Marcy Rylan leaving the role of Abby Carlton.

I am LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNG time viewer of CBS soaps and have a LOOOOOOONNNG memory of them. I remember the bad shape ATWT was in for several years before it left the air and comments from various writers/etc. mentioning CBS executives’ input into the show. I don’t remember McDaniel (or predecessor Barbara Bloom) being mentioned to this degree in pre-Phelps articles about the day-to-day decisions about Y&R. I am wondering if the firing of Maria Bell was just as much about CBS taking a more active role in the running of the show as it was in (justifiably) getting rid of Bell.

ALL of this bothers me. I can understand a network executive having some influence over a show but NOT about detailed creative issues such as recasting. I highly doubt that Bill Bell would have tolerated that level of network involvement into his creative process. I shudder to think where all of this is headed based on what I vividly remember about the criminally pitiful shape ATWT was in when it died.

I’m really going to miss Michelle as Phyllis – I pretty much hated her in the early years ,but grew to love her when she got with Nick.
I always loved them as a couple way more than Jack and Phyllis or Nick and Sharon (they’ve completely ruined her).
I don’t think Sharon can be rehabilitated at this point – she’s totally whacko !
I hope they don’t leave this storyline hanging too long !!

Agree!

Their is not going to be a recast anytime soon I am hoping we discover that a/hole Victor had Sharon’s meds messed with. Besides that this show as long as JFP is in charge is all about Dylan/Steve Burton.

Hate that tptb tried to change history with Summer’s paternity. I wonder if that is why Michelle S. left. Then once they saw they had made a mistake, they threw the poor character of Sharon (love Sharon Case) in as a villain to reverse what had been done. Isn’t it funny how quick Steve Burton was added to the opening credits? I love Michelle Stafford and wish her the best. AND I will watch for her wherever she lands! I see only great things!
JPF…it is time to go before Y&R becomes Genoa City much like General Hospital became Port Charles. Stories are moving way too fast and characters are so out of character. And too many stories going on at once. I can’t even count them!! Please Sony…save our Y&R NOW!!! I promise to watch until it gets corrected!

I love all stories going on, it dose not bore me to have several stories, if i dont like one story i may like the other 7..

And, I like a faster pace with the stories.. long drawn out stories do not hold my attention and become stagnate a bore me to stone..

The role should not be recast for a long time. Stafford has made too much of an impact and prior attempts have failed miserably. Under the current regime many characters have been either derailed or written into a corner. As someone else mentioned a happy Phyllis/Jack would be boring They have taken almost all possible story away from Phyllis.

I have never been a huge Sharon fan but that poor character has been thrown under the train, bounced off and hit by a bus. An explanation for her “odd” behavior was given with the bi-polar diagnosis, then they screw that up by making her the town pariah anyway , then compound it with this last insane DNA tampering. It would have made more sense to show Sharon grow by landing a job non-Newman and be a strong, independent, self-sufficient woman.

A fun couple, Kevin & Chloe, has been broken apart by making Kevin into a guy who gets his thrills from breaking & entering regardless of the consequences.

Niki is practically a wall ornament for all we see of her.

I like Adam but am tired of the continuous waltz of distrust between he & Victor.

The Michael/Lauren story was interesting because there was no instant forgiveness and you saw them really working their way back. The psycho Carmine aspect was unnecessary and predictable. It would have been more interesting to have Carmine be the new Brad type of character,,,,working his way into a position of power.

Dylan…ugh. STOP stuffing Steve Burton down our throats. He is NOT all that.

I don’t blame Michelle Stafford for leaving. She probably sees the handwriting on the wall as far as JFP & JG are concerned and knows that the vets will eventually be destroyed so the FOJ can be brought in and repaint the show with their stories.

And, just as an end note….cannot stand Tyler or Leslie. Mason isn’t on enough to have strong feelings abou I have to say that Melissa Ordway has Abby has grown on me, though I really like Emme Rylan.

I do not blame MS for leaving either, as a veiwer I left the show months ago and I rarely look back and when I do, all I have to watch is a couple of minutes before I am off and running away from the show.

Only a few daytime actresses could handle the role: Laura Wright, Kelly Sullivan, Kassie DePaiva, Arienne Zucker…. It will be interesting.

Don’t recast Phyllis!! If they must then Sarah Brown, Kelly Sullivan or Robin Christopher get my vote.

I am going to miss Michelle as Phyllis! She is Phylliss and it will be awkward seeing anybody else as Phyllis. However I am excited for Michelle and hope she finds fun things to do… she is very talented and she will be fabulous at whatever she does!!! Of course I would love it it if she came to GH!!! I just hope she is happy and loving whatever she does next!!!

I think they need to recast. There is still so much that Phyliss needs to do. Robin Christopher could pull this off. She was outstanding as Skye on AMC and GH and she was able to recast a beloved role on Another World without missing a beat. She is a devoted actress and she would be perfect with Peter Bergman. I can also see her as Summer’s mom 😉 C’mon CBS hire Robin Christopher!

They need to recast. Phyllis is an integral character. I surmise Phyllis will go to a rehab center and return with a new face.

The role of Phyllis Newman should be recast, I have the perfect actress to replace Michelle Stafford, which is Robin Christopher, ex-Skye Quatermaine from General Hospital, she would be perfect for the role, because of the red hair and all plus she is a good actress who would do the role of Phyllis justice, I think Michelle Stafford would agree to that, and the role of Phyllis Newman should not be killed off and that would leave the door open, just in case Michelle do want to come back in the future.

From Renetta Alexander
Kansas City, Missouri

I’M JUST LOVING G/H AND ALL THAT IS GOING ON NOW IT’S GREAT.. NOW Y/R IS GETTING HOT I’M LOVING JASON BY THE DAYS .. IS THEIR EVER GOING TO BE A NEW PHYLLIS DOWN THE LINE ?

PLEASE DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN NO RECAST!! It would never work; Stafford is absolutely irreplaceable in that role and I fear for whomever would try to step in those Manolo’s!

I am so upset by her leaving the show, but she has other interests she wants to pursue and I wish her well and will definitely follow what she does. I will SO miss seeing her light up my television every single day. No matter what scene she was in, I am just riveted by her choices and talent; what a presence!! She’s a phenomenal actress and her leaving will create a huge void on Y&R. Will I still watch? Yes. Do I hope that she will return one day? PLEASE GOD! Best of luck Michelle, and thank you for so many wonderful years on Y&R!

I agree 100%

I think they should recast, but be careful with the right actor, phyllis was a diamond in the ruff! please don’t wait too long to cast a shadow over Sharon and let Summer and everyone know Nick is her father.

Michelle Stafford is such an extraordinary actress, she is so immensely talented … I quite honestly cannot see anyone else playing the character pf Phyllis after all she has given to us through the years! If I were Y&R I would do whatever it takes to get her back, if anything at least to wrap up her character in a more positive and happy way … a more fitting goodbye to her character! Frankly, I feel as though I have lost a friend and i will grieve her departure from the show! Yes, i realize she is a fictional character and it’s only make-believe, but when you watch someone on television for over a decade that individual becomes so familiar, almost like part of your own psyche! I think she’ll be back (*crosses fingers*)!

Michelle Stafford is such an extraordinary actress, she is so immensely talented! I quite honestly cannot see anyone else playing the character of Phyllis after all she has given to us through the years! If I were Y&R I would do whatever it takes to get her back, if anything at least to wrap up her character in a more positive and happy way … a more fitting goodbye to her character! Frankly, I feel as though I have lost a friend and i will grieve her departure from the show! Yes, I realize she is a fictional character and it’s only make-believe, but when you watch someone on television for over a decade that individual becomes so familiar, almost like part of your own psyche! I think she’ll be back (*crosses fingers*)!

Michelle Stafford is to Phyllis Newman what Kim Zimmer is to Reva Shane!!! Not Re-castable…However I do think there is a lot of this story to tell. You could always do the Sheila twist again and have her play the New-Phyllis leaving the door open for the real Phyllis to return. My vote is for Gina Tignoni form Guiding Light she is an excellent actress and a real spitfire.

I started watching the show with Phyllis and I may stop now that she’s leaving. Can i continue watching with Sharon victorious and Phillis in a coma at her hand? And then there’s Avery, I actually dislike her more than both Sharon and even Cricket. I won’t be tuning in to see Avery and Nick ride into the sunset. Maybe I might continue watching for Adam, but I had hoped to see him and Phillis (Michelle) hook up someday.

Please recast Phyllis. Don’t let the secret die with her. And do NOT let Michelle Stafford come back. She is biting the hand that has fed her. Never have liked her anyway. Someone else can play the part and after time has passed, it will be okay.

Please, please do not recast! There will never be anyone to play Phyllis like Michelle Stafford. I understand she may have some other avenues to pursue but please Michelle dont close the door on coming back. The show needs Michelle not just the character. The character interacted with the other characters so well, especially Micheal. They were best friends. Michelle made Phyllis and I think Phyllis taught Michelle a few things too. The show was so fun with Phyllis. She will so be missed. I wanted Phyllis back with Nick, and I thought there was a chance they’d get back until they put her Avery with him. That hook up and relationship is so wrong due to how she has treated phyllis when she took their father side. Now they want to reward her with NIck! No absolutely not! No sharon and no Avery but with Phyllis(Michelle) I think maybe Michelle wasnt happy about that break up either and even she (Michelle) got bored at playing this goody-two-shoes-Phyllis, so boring. Dont know how Y & R will survive without Michelle. Everyone has gotten really boring! If Phyllis goes then bring Drucilla back, which has been a long time coming! Those two characters were cut from the same cloth, just heard they did not get along which probably helped on the show. Michelle I miss you arleady. You are the best actor on the show besides “Micheal”. Please dont make this forever. I think that would be the death of the show at this time. You made the show exciting and not just your character but you, Michelle. Wish you the best but so miss you already!! Best actress ever! Job well done!

… and again PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT RECAST PHYLLIS. If there is no recast I believe Michelle may come back, maybe not right away but one day. NO RECAST ABSOLUTELY NOT! PLEASE!

Please keep Michelle if possible she is the best thing going for y&r. Get rid of Sharon she’s not needed she gets away with to much that’s not real life. I would hate to see Michelle recast but we need Phyllis to shut Sharon down this has to come out about Summer.

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular