News
Y&R Teams Up With American Heart Association To Tell Jill's Story That Can Save Lives!
Photo Credit: Lesley Bohm
On Thursday’s episode of The Young and the Restless (which will be online today, but was pre-empted on network TV) it is revealed that after getting so upset with her husband Colin (Tristan Rogers), for swindling her out of money and more, Jill (Jess Walton) suffered a heart attack.
As the story is told, Jill ignored all the warning signs, as happens so much to women in real life. The show stresses the importance of getting immediate medical attention and the post-care following such a health scare.
A doctor describes everything that’s happened and the lifestyle changes needed to avoid another heart attack – or worse, for cantankerous Jill Abbott Atkinson played by Daytime Emmy winner, Jess Walton. Because February is American Heart Month, Y&R’s executive producer Mal Young, and head writer Sally Sussman perfectly timed the story and made the decision to have the character of Jill be the one to suffer the attack.
Young told HuffingtonPost.com that he considered: “Jill the perfect character to tackle this subject for many reasons: an unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, frequent drinking, high stress), her age (around 60) and a bullish personality that would deny anything was wrong. Plus, her status as the longest-running character on the nation’s highest-rated soap opera helps ensure the message reaches a large audience.”
Jess Walton related: “My character thinks she’s invincible, super-strong, super-tough and doesn’t want to show any weaknesses. A lot of people are like that. They have ostrich syndrome; they want to bury their head in the sand so they don’t hear anything they don’t want to know. She tried taking it lightly and cavalierly, but then it starts to sink in and get serious.”
So, what did you think about Jill suffering a heart attack? Glad to see Jess Walton with major story? What do you think about Y&R teaming with American Heart Association to portray the situation accurately and to educate the viewing audience? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
I think this is a very good idea for a storyline. I hope they show others can have warning signs, no matter age, stress levels, etc. This could make a good story for Mariah/Hillary on Genoa City tv show.
That’s what’s so confounding about heart disease, Rose…..especially for women. Our symptoms are completely different from those of men.
For the longest time, the medical world only went by what a man’s symptoms were. Now, research tells a different story.
My grandfather has three stents ( my family is actually close friends with the son of the late inventor who perfected the stent, Edgartown, MA), after being a second away from having a heart attack.
However, my grandmother’s symptoms were very similar to Jill’s.
I was very proud of Y&R for introducing this story; specifically about a female character. I am doubly proud of Jess….she outdid herself. This was truly raw acting. I was sooo into this scene….Jess was magnificent.
Ironically, my husband said, that many patients confuse heartburn with the onset of a heart attack and vice versa. Mostly it is those patients with Barrett’s disease.
So, kudos to Y&R for bringing these mysterious symptoms to the fore. So many people ignore what their body tells them; especially women.
I must amend my wording. It’s kind of confusing.
We do not know the inventor of the stent, but the son of the man who perfected it ( Pioneer of medical devices, who died recently). I cannot take the liberty of giving out his name.
Jess Walton portraying Jill’s attack was so well done. I have generally been aware of the research/non-research/symptoms you mention when it comes to women from medical segments on the news, but Jess’s portrayal really got my attention this time. Didn’t know about the heartburn your husband mentioned. And I’m equally glad this type of research continues for men and women alike. I ‘m sure we all have stories like those showing up by others on this story.
This is soaps at their best!!!
I have heart disease…i mentioned that and other heart problems my family has had in my comments below.
Wow I was scared didn’t want her to leave the show but is a very good information for all human us to learn from this , the signs and how to leave healthy. I do appreciate this learning.
I just wanted to say that in addition to Jess Walton’s stellar and believable performance, that Jason Thompson is also hitting it out of the park playing her concerned son.
He’s found his footing playing Jill’s son and it seems that he’s been playing this role for many many years. I totally buy that he is Jill’s son, they have a connection and it’s very toughing and poignant.
Yes, agreed, Rose. This was one of the best episodes ever, forbme….and Jess took the bull by the horns and ran with it.
Severe heartburn is normally called acid reflux, as we all know; but, once this becomes overwhelmingly intolerable, and after a battery of tests, the diagnosis is more likely than not; Barrett’s disease or Barrett’s esophagus.
The symptoms mimic those of a heart attack and it is pretty scary. One of my grandmothers has heart disease….but, my maternal grandmother has Barrett’s disease. We all thought she was having a heart attack. Good thing there’s a cardiologist in the family. LOL…not funny, I know, I know. But, we took her to emergency, anyway. Luckily, it was as my husband said.
The lesson here is never brush off any kind of discomfort we may feel in the chest area. Better safe than sorry.
I love Jess Walton,. She is a talented actress. So happy she is getting a good storyline. Jess is 70 years old, still looks terrific for her age.
Lots of energy, Claudio. When I see Jess on my screen, I never put an age on her because she is so feisty….never enters my mind. But, you are so right. She does not look her age.
She looks great; no sign of plastic surgery….but, su will contradict that, won’t you, su? LOL.
Lol Celia, su likes to stir the pot. Jess is a natural beauty, with the plastic surgery. You are so right, totally agree with you Celia. The acting with Billy Boy and Jill is terrific.
Smart plotting! Excellent use of actor talents and story situation. Daytime drama is so good when it embraces social issues and effects changes.
Wonderful to see Miss Walton embraced again by the show’s leadership and creative team! Brava!
Jill is one of Y&R’s core characters, and seeing her on-screen more often in the last few months has been very enjoyable. Y&R is really starting to feel like it used to because of Mal and Sally’s assured creative direction. Story wise, this is an important social issue that someone with the strengths of Jess Walton can most definitely deliver, and if it means more Tristan Rogers, I’m very much looking forward to seeing it play out.
0hhh geezuz..
Now we’re going to have a heart attack PSA story ..
Perhaps they should show what women are into medically — like boob jobs, liposuction and facelifts ohh and addiction to Botox..
Now- that would be interesting ..
yes, women have heart attacks but more women have face lifts and boob jobs..
(( make it real .. at the least they would be happy stories..
((Scratching head at Suoo))
Um. uh…oh waiter, check please!
Your comment made me laugh; thank you!
Must you always be the lone fart in the room to stink it up??? You must be a real winner at parties!!
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ….SUE IS THE MOST NEGATIVE PERSON EVER ON THIS WEBSITE…….
LOL, Tucker…Debbie Downer?? Too funny. That’s just su being su.
Su, my love…you leave me speechless!! And, that, is saying a lot !!
Hey!!!
I was serious!
for instance–
Silicone injected into the lips can lead to Serious complications.
and is not approved by the FDA.
A serious and very possible complication is your body reacting to the silicone and creating severe scar tissue known as granulomas.
If this should occur, the drops of silicone cannot be removed and a portion of your lip may have to be removed to fix this problem!!!!! See!
And– dermatologists are usually the practitioners who inject the silicone but the plastic surgeons are the ones who see and treat these patients when they develop the serious complications.
A great many women don’t know that they just know it is much cheaper!
Botox is good but way to many woman don’t know their upper lip will be smi-paralyzed!!!…And she’ll be unable to naturally say many words because upper lip can’t move freely..
Botox–
you can’t say/word- whistle, wrestling, weather Quit, etc because upper lip can no longer form those words and you’ll look weired say many words.
hey– say weather feel your lip form circular, words dont do that with Botox upper lip is near frozen. I see it in the soaps every day.
Fat transfer into lips is the only natural, but– too many women don’t know that..
I could write long lists from a botched womens top to bottom that women are not informed about and to save a thousand bucks (boobs, face) the end up deformed..
So, yah– it is serious..
I seen way too much of the reconstructive surgery that Dr. —— needed to do.
Saving a thousand cost the 20-30 thousand.
Millions and Millions and Millions suffer from bad plastic surgery because they are not aware.
So, yeh.. that would be better and more interesting than Jill’s heart.
Check your history. Y&R did a face lift years ago with Jeanne Cooper.
Su, I know you mean well, and what you say is fact, when it comes to plastic surgery.
But, mainstream America does not obsess over plastic surgery. Beside the fact that it is an elective procedure.
Heart disease in women has seen the light of day only in recent years ; as I have explained above. It was thought of as “a man’s disease”.
We are talking apples and oranges, here, su. This episode is dedicated to women and heart disease.
I do believe plastic surgery and its negative ramifications has been covered on Y&R.
I do agree with Kay….now that this storyline has been introduced, hopefully, TPTB will see it through and not stop mid-stream.
I think this is a great story line. We all need to lean we are not invincible.
Excellent story line
Its good — Jess Walton is fantastic — and Jill is the last person you’d expect to have a heart attack. I wonder what Kay would think!!!
I am a 53 year old male who suffered a 100% blockage in my aortic artery. Plus 2 other blockages on the back of my heart. If this story is told correctly, meaning that your mental health also changes and creates a great deal of paranoia. I would be more than happy to help with my story.
True, Kerry. If only people would fess up and be as forthright as yourself.
The dialogue between the doctor and the family was excellent. I just went through the exact situation with my 42 year old daughter although she did go into Cardiac Arrest three times and survived. Her blockages were identical to Jillls but only one stent. She is back to work and driving etc. I am still very much overwhelmed as she is all I have.
My cousin just had a heart attack while on vacation…this happening so close after the death of my father and great aunt(her heart stopped)…our family seems to have constant bad news…my sister, her son and my sister’s husband all had heart related problems and two got pacemakers and i have heart disease…so yes. talking about the heart is important…my sister’s heart had stopped when at hospital and she was ‘dead’ for four minutes…a nurse just happen to come into her room and she was revived…heart trouble is a major problem in my family!…ON SOAPS!–Back in the late 60s and on GL, Bill Bauer had a heart attack and needed a heart transplant-a daytime first.
I am glad Y & R put the seriousness of heart attack is for women. It made me stop and think about my good and bad habits and what changes I need to make in my life. I am a 53 year old female and personally I am not ready to leave this world. So this was a eye opener for me.
Thank you Y & R for your help in this matter.
Keep up the awesome writing. Love your show, have been watching it seems like forever. Record it daily so can watch when I get home from work.
I love the idea, because this is something viewers will pay attention to.
Our favorite soap characters become “real” to longtime viewers like myself, and we live vicariously through them.
An illness or tragedy on the show really hits home, and causes viewers to think about how the same event would affect their own lives.
I applaud Y &R for allowing this to happen to one of the characters. Love Jill but she was going full steam for a while. My thoughts a out Colin he needs to back off he does come on stronger and try to live Jill’s life. She is a stronge woman and can figure things out on her own!!!
I applaud Y & R for using this story line. I thought it was very well done.
LOVE JESS WALTON….A WONDERFUL ACTRESS WHO DESERVED A GREAT STORYLINE…..THIS IS A GREAT STORY COMPARED TO SO MANY THAT ARENT WORTHY OF OUR TIME. HOPE IT WLL HLEP SAVE LIVES…..SO GLAD JESS IS BA CK IN A BIG WAY…WILL ALWAYS MISS HER AND KATHERINE………
This was an important storyline which managed to be entertaining and moving while it informed. The writing was on spot and the acting rose up to the occassion.
Bravo, Y&R! and Jess Walton.
My mom never had any signs except an onset of shortness of breatheand a doctor that pushed for more tests due to family history. My mom ended up with a triple by-pass that saved her life 15 years ago. My dad complete opposite story – heart attack – stents- stents didn’t work- open heart triple by-pass and a heart that just slowly stopped beating due to heart failure . This was very sad because he wanted to live but his heart wasn’t strong enough to keep his body going. Dad passed away last year after two years of fighting to stay alive.
I applaud the writers for this story line but please keep it real – the emotional toll on the patient is just as important as the physical. And the worry that it brings to a family from old to young is draining.
Good job Y&R! Thank you for giving us something other than identical twins, building explosions and baby snatching storylines.
I applaud it. The symptoms for women are not the same as advertised for men. What would have made it better would have been if a younger character had the heart attack as it does happen to women much younger than Jill. Still, I think it’s great and hope they do a good job.
I do think Jill would be a bit more agreeable to treatment after having such a serious event.
Fortunately I was able to watch Y&R and B&B on Pop last night. So tired of the interruptions. I hope Days airs yesterday’s episode today.
Mo, allow me to preface my comment by saying I am not expressing a political opinion, just a fact. For the last 3 weeks there have been an unprecedented amount of interruptions during daytime programming. We have never encountered anything like this during previous presidential transitional periods. These last 3 weeks we have either had the POTUS or Shawn Spicer interrupting our soaps for press conferences. It’s been happening almost on a daily basis.
I do think it’s had a negative impact on Y&R’s ratings. Thank God, for Pop! I just wish they’d show GH as well.
Jill is in denial, Mo; as it happens with so many of us. Some of us think we’re invincible….that this ‘stuff’ only happens to someone else. Nature of the beast.
Jill fits right into the strong personality type, and the best thing she could have done was kick Colin to the curb, literally. That scene was a welcome respite….loved the humor.
How low can you go!! “Borrowing” from your wife without asking.
It will be interesting to see how this debacle will unfold….Jill’s close call changes the facade.
Addison, yes, there have been far too many interruptions. I wish Days was on Pop or on Demand. I still have to watch last Thursday’s ep. I guess Kayla and Steve got married. If it didn’t air, did it really happen?
Being a nurse I was thinking while listening to the doctor, who by the way sounded like a real doctor, what she is telling Jill, may very well save some lives! Great job Y&R!!
Thank you Y & R for this great story line. I have suffered from acid reflux and it brought to my attention it might be something and I should go to see my Doctor.
Jess is turning into Katherine and thats a good thing!
I have been watching the show a little bit more and I thought the scenes leading up to the heart attack, with Jill and Colin were really comical. (I haven’t seen the hospital scenes, yet). I always enjoy when daytime is humorous. I have always enjoyed Tristan Rogers, as Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, and I enjoy him as Colin on
Y & R bantering with Jill. Also, I enjoy when daytime focuses on real, human issues that most of us can relate to. As for the rest of the show:
I love Eileen Davidson. I loved her as Kristen Dimera on DOOL. Eileen is absolutely beautiful and I always enjoy watching her. I have to question, though, why are the writers trying to pair someone like Ashley with Ravi? They have zero chemistry. Their scenes fall flat and feel very forced to me-much like all of Victoria’s scenes:
I may be in the minority here, but I do not feel the chemistry between Victoria and Billy, or Victoria and anyone. The actress, IMO, portrays Victoria as being unsure of herself, not a confident business woman. Also, I am sick and tired of hearing how she is the boss. If someone has to constantly remind their staff that they are the boss, something is seriously wrong. As for Reed, send the kid back to where he came from-waste of air-time. Now, Phyllis, she is a confident and vibrant woman. Why are all her recent scenes being written as “Billy loves Victoria?” Billy stopping the elevator and grabbing Phyllis in a kiss-CHEMISTRY! Speaking of chemistry, Nick and Chelsea-HAVE ZERO CHEMISTRY-time to move on.
The story line is very good but I think they should have made Jill’s skin complexion lighter after surgery like she felt bad. She looked to healthy for this story line.
Loving both Y&R and DOOL lately (if only Twitler would stop interrupting with his egomaniacal drivel). Y&R and Jess Walton in particular have been doing great work. Looking forward to watching Jill’s story play out.
Good story for Jill but stick with it she has a heart condition now therefore you just can’t drop it and pretend it never happened. Examples Nikki’s MS Ashley amd Michaels cancer Victors heart transplant . That is why a lot of people like Suoo for example don’t like them because they drop it in a couple of months.
VERY good point! Victor had a heart transplant and he never had rejection problems? Medicine issues? He drinks like a fish! WRONG!
I’m just hoping the story plays out fully– will Jill make life adjustments?
And, I agree with a few earlier posts about Y and R tackling some other health issues: a)liposuction b) breast implants c)lip surgery d)tattooing e)medical marijuana f)male obestiy– it’s not just a female thing.
I am certain several readers could easily recommend certain characters to portray these timely issues.
Haven’t watched yet, but some weeks ago when her jaw hurt a heart attack was suspected. She is a wonderful actress. So happy to have her back!
Regarding the interruptions: Yes, always when Y&R is on. There have been quite a slew of them.
If Jill has now gone on a world cruise, it seems the heart attack story has been dropped. Jill is still in recovery. Hopefully when she returns they will show that she has changed her eating habits and is exercising. She should go to cardiac rehab. I don’t see that she did that.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.
In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.
Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.
Photo: CBS
Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film. Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.
Photo: JPI
In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.
Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below. So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
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Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
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