News
Y&R’s Gina Tognoni, Jason Thompson & Amelia Heinle Talk On Philly, Villy, And Each Other!
Photo CreditL JPI Studios
Three of The Young and the Restless most talented actors and fan favorites: Gina Tognoni (Phyllis), Jason Thompson (Billy) and Amelia Heinle (Victoria) chat with Michael Fairman in his latest video offering on The Michael Channel.
Shot on the set of the top-rated daytime drama series inside Phyllis’ apartment, Gina, Jason, and Amelia weigh-in on a myriad of subjects including: what are the chances that Billy will ultimately end up with Phyllis, even though he has currently been hacking into her computer for some vital business intel? Is Philly the eventual end game, or could Victoria get her former hubby back, now that she has made it known that she wants him back? Will Villy end up being reunited?
Recently, Victoria has been suffering severe headaches, leading many to speculate that something is seriously wrong with her. Might there be a clue in this video conversation on where that story is headed, and what is wrong with her?
Everyone in the soap genre knows that Gina, Jason,and Amelia are all powerhouse performers, but you will also find out what they think of each other, participating in social media, and some more entertaining nuggets when watching the video.
After the jump, check out The Michael Channel’s sit-down chit-chat with Gina, Jason, and Amelia. Then, let us know if you are Team Philly, Team Villy, or are you rooting for the characters to wind up romantically involved with other people, and if so whom? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Filly Villy , both pairing are snoozers…..
I agree, rocky83… however, I am not as turned off by Villy as I am of Filly.
Something else that turns me off? Cane’s man-boobies. HaHa!!
JFP told her pet toy Thompson that Billy was a spoiled rich smug arrogant playboy and that how he plays him and he needs to take his sneakers and go
Agreed – Jason Thompson is ill-suited for the role of BIlly Abbott – we need Billy Miller back ASAP!!
Great interview! Drunken Phyllis + headache Victoria + fun-boy Billy = a daytime three-way?
You do come up with great ones, Mister Media. Love it….
Did anyone get the feeling that the women couldn’t stand each other? Everything they said, was kind of said through Jason.
I especially love your idea of a soap talk show, and am surprised that no one has come up with the idea before. I know, I would watch, as others would, I am sure.
THIS is a show that should be on the daytime schedule. A thoughtful interview show that takes the genre seriously and treats the actors like the artists they are. Michael is the perfect interviewer for a show of this type. Forget the cooking and lifestyle shows. A great soap talk show like this would really please the loyal daytime audience. It would also be cheap to produce and promote the soaps. Seems like a win-win for the network and the audience.
Yeeesss!!!!
Loved the interview and I am enjoying the story line…I know so many people are complaining about Y&R being boring but IMO it’s not…I enjoy the character driven story lines but I will admit we do need some more suspense and mystery…I would love for Nina Arvesen to return and to shake up Paul’s world and I would love for Jaime Lyn Bauer to return as Lori Brooks…
Exactly, Kevin C….so well said.
It is not so much that the stories are boring. They are flat, walking a straight line with a safety-net waiting at the end of it. As you said: no suspense, no “be still my heart”.
I admit that I loved Villy when it was Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle who were portraying Billy and Victoria however, after that, I just couldn’t connect with them. I feel that the showrunners just keep forcing Victoria and Billy and just won’t make them grow apart as separate characters but even in the past when Victoria and Billy were together, Billy wasn’t 24/7 Victoria as he is written now.
I loved Philly since 2016, because I felt they connected to each other on a level that they haven’t before because Phyllis of course was recovering after finding out that she was sleeping on Marco, instead of the man who she thought was her husband in Jack. And of course that was Victor fault for bringing Marco in Genoa City in the first place.
I feel what Phyllis was missing from her husband (support, love, understanding) she received from Billy. It seems that Jack just couldn’t read Phyllis pain and even wanted to get Victor off the hook, whereas Billy risked it all for Phyllis and was by her side and that’s why I started loving Philly and I feel in 2017… since Sally Sussman has been in charge, she has sort of messed up their relationship and trying to make it ONLY about sex when it was always more than just that. These two people fell in love.
With Victoria, I just feel it’s time for her to move on from Billy and be with someone else. Like I loved her best in recent memory when she was with Travis, she just seemed more happy and free and it was better to watch.
Sadly right now, I am team NONE OF THE PAIRINGS.
I really like Billy and Phyllis. I think they have magnetic chemistry and just plain sizzle. Victoria makes me want to take a long nap. That kiss, from a week or so ago, was just so boring, forced, and awkward-IMO.
I don’t know, dmr. I respect your opinion. There’s no right or wrong how one feels.
But, as for myself, it’s not a matter of Phyllis and Victoria in regard to Billy.
For me, it’s a matter of Jason Thompson’s Billy and Gina Tognoni’s Phyllis.
Michelle’s Phyllis was sort of evil when she first walked on stage. But she turned the proverbial ugly ( mentally, that is—not physically) duckling into a redeemed, consumate, body-made-to- wear-anything, swan.
Michelle Stafford has that natural beauty and savoir-faire which Gina tries to achieve but fails, nonetheless……Just as Jason Thompson will never attain Billy Miller’s ( as Billy Abbott) boyish mischievousness.
We accepted them both because their personaities made the characters’ personalities shine.
Perhaps Gina and Jason would have made the number one couple in another time on another soap, but not as Phyllis and Billy.
We all have our faves—I, personally do not like either Gina or Jason in these roles. Gina is not the typical sexy, femme fatale ( not even on OLTL, albeit I loved her as Kelly), and I never considered Jason as the hunky stud. He was only ok to me as Patrick ( GH).
Besides, I cannot even picture the original Billy and Phyllis together. Maybe that’s what’s turning me off. There’s an indelible picture of the ‘real’ duo in my brain. LOL.
Oh, sorry, dmr….I forgot.
I don’t like how the PTB are turning back the clock on Phyllis. They are turning her back into the conniving, duplicitous, untrustworthy “B”…..the Phyllis of old.
She is playing devil’s advocate. Never a good idea to engage in double-dealing for the sake of a man. Truth always comes out….and it will bite her in the arse.
I’m rooting for Billy to be donated for medical research and for Phyllis and Victoria to find their brains and good taste.
And it’s not Phyllis’ apartment, it’s Summer’s.
Hahahaha !
Thanks for the sweet interview. Philly are my favorite part of the show. Great build-up in 2016, awesome chemistry and there’s still so much potential to explore. Can’t wait for some drama and fighting because of the Jabot vs B&S war. I also liked Victoria with Benjamin. The character was supposed to be this slimy ruthless businessman but the actor put some honesty and naturality in the portrayal. Could be an interesting addition to the show.
I love Billy and Phyllis together. Victoria is so boring and has zero chemistry with Billy, IMO. That kiss was so forced and so awkward. Phyllis is a woman and just sizzles-brings excitement to Billy’s life! Sick of Brash and Sassy and Jabot “war.” It’s boring.
I couldn’t help but notice the three stars each came from a different ABC soap. I still miss Jason Thompson as Patrick. They really should have made him the star of the show and not Sonny.
Downtownla, I totally agree about Jason Thompson, loved his portrayal of Patrick…I think Jason is a fabulous actor and a lot of people don’t like him as Billy but I do and I think he is doing a wonderful job.
I always felt that Jason Thompson, was not used to his full potential on GH, but on Y&R, he’s given something to dig his teeth into, showing his acting chops, while having two strong women fighting over him.I also love Billy Miller, but like him better on GH, with one woman, he is so loyal and protective of. What drives me nuts is, if he isn’t the original Jason, than where did these feelings for Sam come from?
Y&R REALLY NEEDS TO MOVE ALONG THESE DRAGGED OUT STORYLINES….YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU REALLY DONT CARE WHO BILLY IS WITH! ALL GOOD ACTORS…NEED GOOD STORYLINES… AND ENOUGH OF MOANING JACK!!!!!!!
Jack!!!!! I have never liked Jack, the infant, JK. He needs a binky. Even during his ‘redeemed’ phase, I detested him. Always disgruntled and trying to find a way to rock one of his “victim’s” boat.
He ruined Patty, and got away with it. I wish a healed, mentally stable Patty would return, and stick it to him.
In some instances he’s worse than Victor—both need a massive dose of “grow up” vitamins.
The problem isn’t Gina Tognoni, the problem isn’t Amelia Heinle, the problem is Jason Thompson. He’s just not Billy, not in any way. He always comes off as sneering and petulant and certainly has never shown any remorse for stabbing his brother in the back. Whichever woman is unlucky enough to land him will be stuck with an eternally self-indulgent manchild for a mate.
Let the worst woman win.
It’s all about karma, boes. Jack has stabbed his own father in the back when he slept with Jill, his step-mother.
It’s sick and disgusting to me how these shows have no regard for morality; yet, we see so much ‘holier-than-thou’ going on…it ‘kinda’ blows the mind. Eg: Bobbie and Carly (GH).
It does not excuse Billy, of course…..and, it definitely IS about Gina’s Phyllis. She is no Michelle Stafford, who owned the role.
I doubt if there would have been a romantic liaison if BM and MS had still been on the show. I guess we all have our faves, and although through no fault of theirs, some of us resent th ‘newcomers’ as usurpers. Unreasonable, I know, LOL.
JT is all wrong as Billy, I have said this since day one—-but, Phyllis’ transformation depicted by Gina is worse. I have been lamenting the ‘obscenity’ of her winning the Emmy, when so many others deserved it so much more, in my humble opinion.
You want to tell me why Billy would destroy his fathers conpany these three are the reason I tape and delete! Ugh
Right, Kay. Makes no sense.
Loved Johnny’s first day of school. So blond and cute, could be Billy Miller’s son for real. He does not resemble Jason Thompson in any way, since he plays his bio dad.
Agreed, Violet ( love your name). Thompson has come a long way as Billy, but, I still miss BM.
It is what it is. Sigh….
Something else that bothers me is that Chelsea, Johnny’s bio mom, has completely forgotten she has another son. So weird. How could she live in the same town, frequent the same places, see the same people, and go on with her life? She gave birth to him. How does she love one child and dismisses the other???
Y&R should revisit this wrong and make it right. I would have fought Billy and Victoria tooth and nail to, at least, get visitation rights, come hell or high water.
Also, shouldn’t Connor and Johnny know they are brothers? TPTB should think ahead….these boys will be sorased sooner or later. What then? How to explain the silence?
Celia thanks for your reply. I have thought as you do, many times about Chelsea’s feelings toward Johnny, or lack thereof. There was a night time show a few years ago, One Tree Hill, where two brothers, each not knowing about the other, as rivals, found out they were brothers( same father) and became best friends. I would like to see something like this happen here. Johnny has Katie, and Johnny MAY have Christian, although I am not as convinced as everyone else seems to be that he was fathered by Adam. I do want him to be Nicks.
We seem to be of one mind in this, too, Violet.
I always believed Christian was Nick’s….said more often than not……albeit, we never really know what TPTB will do when they come to the crossroad.
The body language speaks volumes.
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.
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General Hospital
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.
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
GH’s Finola Hughes Chats on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, New Directions for Characters in Port Charles, and Anna’s Love Life
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
AEW Dynasty: Swerve Strickland Becomes AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Perry Returns, Will Ospreay Retires Move After Scary Finish
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General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
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NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
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Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
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General HospitalApril 22, 2024Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesApril 17, 2024DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
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Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced