News
Former CBS Daytime On-Air Promo Director, Susan Banks, Joins the Writing Team of The Young and the Restless
There is a new writer in Genoa City with word today from former Executive Producer & Executive in Charge of Production, CBS and former CBS Daytime On-Air Promo Director, Susan Banks.
Banks, who most recently was an executive producer at TV One, is now back with a show that she knows and loves, The Young and the Restless.
In a message via her social media, Susan shared her first script on the number one daytime drama airs tomorrow.
Susan expressed in her announcement: “I am so excited to announce that my first script for The Young and the Restless airs on Monday, March 1, 2021. Writing for the show is a thrilling ride that challenges my creative juices every week. Bill and Lee Bell are icons of the television industry whose love, mentorship and support I have always cherished. It is an honor to be a part of their soap family and the legacy that has continued for almost 48 years. What a delight to return home to work with the amazing cast and characters of one of the greatest, never-ending stories ever told. The drama, rich with passion, intrigue, mystery and romance has captivated the hearts of many through the years. I hope you, too, will share the magic and tune in to see my opening credit on my premiere episode. Who knows…you might even get hooked! Thanks for your loving support…”
The latest addition to the writing staff, Susan was previously at CBS from 1993 to 2003 before exiting for other TV opportunities including her time with TV One in the mid 2000’s.
Congratulations and a long overdue addition to the writing team.
Susan Banks? Isn’t she in prison in Salem having switched places with Kristen? And now she’s writing for Y&R! You go girl!
LOL
I got a feeling Susan Banks has been hired to eventually replace Josh Griffith as the show’s head writer. I hope so.
Let’s hope so; it’ll be nice to have a FEMALE head writer at this soap again, especially one of colour.
Great that someone will help revive the show. The writing and storytelling is horrible.
ummm, her writing experience is minimal, at best. Coins for Love, Second Sight, Fear Files, the Flight Night Files? When did she work under Bill Bell? I dont see that on her resume. No joy over this one.
Hmmm, this is interesting news. Normally I look at the credits at the beginning of the show but I didn’t see that on Monday. I guess time will tell how well she does.
I’m not sure if the response is “Great News!” or “Here we go again.” On the one hand, no one can dispute that Y&R is in lousy shape and desperately needs improved writing. Banks could be exactly what is needed.
On the other hand, Y&R has been sub-par for 15 years. During that time, we’ve seen a parade of writers and executive producers, who when their employment was announced where trumpeted as being the saviors the show needed. Instead, the new additions often were worse than their predecessors — bringing poorly written and poorly cast new characters (Cane, Dylan, Lola, Rey….) to the forefront of the show; destroying existing characters (Jill, Kevin, Chloe) or ditching them (Paul, Brad, Colleen); and giving us plots not worthy of a fifth-grade writing contest (Brad and “Nazi artwork”; Sheila’s sister and the annoying twins; Kay Chancellor’s “music box”). Banks could just be another one of these individuals — lots of promises made, nothing delivered.
Time will tell what we get from Banks. One thing is certain: Y&R needs some major help if it plans on remaining on the air. I don’t know how many more years it can hobble along the way it has for the past 15.
I worked with Susan Banks when she was the head of on-air promotion at CBS Daytime. She’s a creative powerhouse with an innate understanding of storyline. As part of the ad agency team that supported CBS Daytime I saw first-hand how it all came together. Susan ran the show.
Darren, you seem to hold Susan in high esteem & I want to be hopeful but it’s been almost a year now since her hiring and I literally see no change in the writing of Y&R. It’s still just a show full of fluff ‘filler’ conversations, little true drama, no suspense, no villains, no major traumatic events, no real life issues, little storyline development. Y&R is a shell of it’s former self. This show needs desperate help and fast!
General Hospital
John J. York Back at General Hospital
On Friday, May 10th, General Hospital fans received some wonderful images and news. John J. York who has played the beloved Mac Scorpio on the ABC daytime drama series is back at work and taping all-new episodes of the show.
“Mac is back!” read the General Hospital social media post hashtag. John is pictured with longtime leading lady, Kristina Wagner and in other pics with Wagner, along with his TV son, Josh Kelly. York has played the younger brother of Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) since 1991.
Previously, York announced he was taking time off from GH to undergo treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes and multiple smoldering myeloma (two blood and bone marrow disorders). This included chemo treatments, finding a blood doner match for blood stem cell transplant and more.
Courtesy/GHIG
Late in 2023, York shared an update on his health on social media. At that time, John expressed, “(Things) are actually going along very well. I’m still in the middle stages of everything.” He added, “I’m feeling really good. Hopefully, hopefully, things go the way they are, maybe be back on the show late spring, early summer.
York’s return pics were greeted with wonderful excitement from his GH co-stars on the Instagram post, including co-stars Finola Hughes (Anna) and Cameron Mathison (Drew).
Michael Fairman TV is wishing John well, and thrilled to see he is back at work.
Share your thoughts as “Mac is Back” to General Hospital via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
GH’s Kin Shriner Remembers Jackie Zeman on the One-Year Anniversary of Her Passing
Today on May 9th, marked the one-year anniversary of the death of Jackie Zeman, who for 45 years played the iconic nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital.
Jackie passed away at 70-years-old from cancer and leaves behind her two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, and all of her enduring fans, and of course. her GH co-stars and dear friends.
Perhaps, her dearest friend was Jackie’s longtime co-star Kin Shriner (Scott) where for years they shared stories on-screen as Bobbie and Scott, and off-screen developed and cultivated an unbreakable bond.
Photo: ABC
Michael Fairman TV spoke exclusively to Kin Shriner to get his thoughts and his memories of Jackie on what is for him and many, a sad and heartbreaking day.
Kin expressed: “It does not seem like a year. I think of Jackie every day and every day. I am approached often as an ambassador to the old days. Every day somebody talks about the heyday of General Hospital bringing up Bobby, Scotty, Luke, and Laura. And it always saddens me because I know that Jackie would still want to know that the fans still love that period of time and we miss her, and I miss that. I don’t get to come in and have a scene with her again, ever. So, it’s all sad and I can’t believe that it’s a year.
When asked what does he think Jackie’s legacy is, now reflecting on her passing a year later, Kin shared, “Her legacy is that It she changed daytime television in the seventies. She was the catalyst that came into General Hospital and created Bobbie Spencer from the wrong side of the tracks, the fiery firecracker woman that she was.”
Photo: ABC
Shriner added on their deep connection, “Jackie brought it all to the screen and she brought it to real life. She raised two great kids, and was a spitfire of a woman and someone that I enjoyed being around from the day we met to the day she died, I was in her life, and she was in my life. We went through a lot together, you know, ups and downs, and it’s just sad that she’s not here anymore.”
Share your thoughts to Kin’s words on the loss of Jackie Zeman via the comment section below, and also your thoughts that is has already been a year since we lost this daytime icon.
Coming up, make sure to watch Kin and many other stars from the soaps on the Michael Fairman Channel’s very special livestream event Daytime Stands Up in conjunction with The Locher Room and Stand Up To Cancer on Thursday May 16th from 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
General Hospital
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) wedding is bringing several new faces to General Hospital. Now comes word that violinist and actor, Giovanni Mazza is set to show up for the nuptials which begin the week of May 13th.
Mazza will play Giovanni Cerullo, the cousin of BLQ, who will play the violin at their wedding ceremony.
Giovanni, who is based in Chicago, has performed at many live events and television shows including for the NBA (see below). As an actor, he started at the young age of 8 in commercials and indie based films out of Chicago.
Photo: ABC
He got his first speaking role at 10 on Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs. Giovanni holds a dual citizen in the United States and Italy. Deadline broke the casting news.
Will GH keep Mazza around for the summer months when the teen scene usually is featured more in story on the soaps? Stay tuned.
Watch Giovanni perform at the L.A. Lakers, and then let us know if you are looking forward to seeing him on GH? Comment below.
John J. York Back at General Hospital
(INTERVIEW) William deVry Talks on His Roles in Hallmark’s ‘A Whitewater Romance’, New Film ‘Pocket of Hope’ and His Time on the Soaps
GH’s Kin Shriner Remembers Jackie Zeman on the One-Year Anniversary of Her Passing
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
GH’s Donnell Turner Visits His Dream Show, ‘Jeopardy!’
Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
The Stars Come Out In Support of Nancy Lee Grahn’s ALS Benefit (Photos)
General Hospital Alum Chloe Lanier to Guest Star on ‘Law & Order’
Maurice Benard Confirms Steve Burton is Upcoming Guest on ‘State of Mind’
(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Peter Bergman Deconstructs Jack’s Desperate Move to Sober Up Nikki, the Repercussions Ahead, and the Loss of TV Mom, Marla Adams
(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
Richard Simmons Recalls His Time On General Hospital and Meeting Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Rick Springfield and More
(WATCH) B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Annika Noelle Talk Lead Actress Emmy Nominations and Brooke and Hope’s Mother/Daughter Relationship
Juliet Donenfeld is the Temporary Recast as General Hospital’s Georgie
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