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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.

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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.

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Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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

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