News
The Young and the Restless’ Brett Hadley Dies at 92
In another loss to the daytime family and an alumni, The Young and the Restless Brett Hadley (ex-Carl Williams) has passed away at the age of 92.
Hadley played the Genoa City police detective from 1980-1990 and reprised the role again from 1998-1999. When Y&R co-creator and then head writer, Bill Bell, decided to expand the family of Paul Williams (Doug Davidson), he added Hadley to the cast along with Carolyn Conwell, who played his wife Mary. Conwell passed away in 2012.
In addition, Carl and Mary had a daughter, Patty Williams played early on by Tammy Taylor, Lilibet Stern and Andrea Evans, and during the time Hadley was with the show. Years later after Hadley had left the show, Patty was played by DAYS Stacy Haiduk.
Throughout his television, stage and motion picture career, Hadley appeared in the films The Mad Bomber, Funny Lady and Next of Kin to name a few.
As the news of Hadley’s death has spread to members of the Y&R family, several shared their grief and tributes to Soap Opera Digest, including:
Beth Maitland (Traci): “The passing of Brett Hadley is such sad news. He was a delight to work with and was an upbeat and happy presence in the halls and on the set. He was an old-fashioned guy. Always professional, but full of fun stories and laughs and was always happy to be on the stage. His memory speaks to a happy time, when soaps were in their heyday and the actors were legendary and larger than life. Rest well, old friend. You will be missed.”
Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren): “Brett had the best sense of humor ever and he and Doug [Davidson, Paul] were a lethal pair to attempt to do a scene with. He was a wonderful actor and a great part of YOUNG AND RESTLESS in those years. He will be very missed.”
Lauralee Bell (Christine): “Brett was the sweetest guy. Biggest smile and the believability of he and Doug Davidson being father and son was like no other!”
Share your condolences and remembrances on the passing of Y&R’s Brett Hadley via the comment section below.
I really liked him on Y&R. From what I recall, when he reprised the role I didn’t really like the way it was written as I had hoped he would remain on the show. RIP
Gosh, I remember when he disappeared from G.C and Paul found him in another town, married to another woman. Sad time for everyone until it was resolved.
Breaking News
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.
Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.
A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”
In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.
Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.
We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.
What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
On Thursday night May 16th, the daytime community comes together for Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer, streaming live at 8 pm ET/5pm PT.
Stand Up To Cancer, in collaboration with leading daytime community voices Michael Fairman and Alan Locher, are coming together for a first-of-its-kind livestream event, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
The three-hour benefit will feature stars from the world of daytime drama television past and present, musical performances, and stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer. Special celebrity guests will also join the effort to encourage viewers to support urgently needed research and new cancer treatments. You can watch live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, The Locher Room or the Stand Up To Cancer website.
In support of the event, SU2C will simultaneously launch a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for soap opera fans to bid on a wide range of items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of CBS’s The Young and the Restless and signed merchandsise from CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, at StandUpToCancer.org/DaytimeStandsUp.
As part of the event, you will hear, cancer survivorship stories from General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; and 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his battle with bladder cancer
Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden.
Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett.
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding Light / One Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keifer.
Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez.
Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton (General Hospital) Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, featuring Days of Our Lives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); Lesli Kay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (General Hospital); and Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
You can watch the Daytime Stands Up livestream below. Now let us know if you have a cancer story that has affected your life via the comment section below, or how a daytime TV character who went through a cancer battle, gave you strength and courage in your own journey.
General Hospital
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
General Hospital has yet another moment to cherish in their storied 61-year history. ABC Entertainment executives honored the daytime dramas cast and crew on May 10, 2024, by dedicating Stage 4, where the series is filmed as “The General Hospital Stage.”
ABC made the decision to acknowledge the show with the stage dedication last year, when it hit its 60th anniversary.
Network executive, Nathan Varni shared via Facebook, “This event was supposed to take place in April, 2023 but due to a multitude of reasons was postponed. Well, we finally celebrated the legacy and history of General Hospital with a stage dedication placard that will live on forever! Thanks to everyone involved with the show for all your hard work, dedication and passion for continuing to keep this show alive and running! Congrats to all involved! We deeply admire and appreciate everyone who works around the clock to bring this series to life 255 days a year!”
The stage dedication plaque reads: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL STAGE. IN HONOR OF THE ICONIC TELEVISION DRAMA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY. SERIES DEBUT APRIL 1, 1963.
Cast members who were in attendance to be part of the dedication included: Jane Elliot (Tracy), Kelly Monaco (Sam), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Donnell Turner (Curtis), Kristina Wagner (Felicia), Maura West (Ava), Brook Kerr (Portia), Kirsten Storms (Maxie), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), Chad Duell (Michael), Robert Gossett (Marshall), Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Josh Swickard (Chase), Jeff Kober (Cyrus), Hudson West (Jake) and Vernee Watson (Stella).
GH is not only the longest-running daytime soap on the air, but it is now longest-running scripted drama in all of television. The series continues to hold the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the Daytime Emmy Award a record 16 times. To date, GH has filmed over 15,468 episodes.
Share your congrats to GH for their stage dedication which will continue to preserve their legacy for years to come.
-
General HospitalMay 10, 2024
John J. York Back at General Hospital
-
General HospitalMay 11, 2024
GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
-
General HospitalMay 13, 2024
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 12, 2024
Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
-
General HospitalMay 9, 2024
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
-
NewsMay 8, 2024
Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged