News
Doug Davidson Cleans Out His Dressing Room at The Young and the Restless and Shares, “It Was Sad for Several Reasons”
Over the last few years, Daytime Emmy-winner, Doug Davidson (ex-Paul Williams, The Young and the Restless) has been very vocal on how he had been the longest-running actor in the cast, how he had been bumped to recurring status, and then how he was never utilized again.
Davidson began his Genoa City run back in May of 1978. In the early spring of 2021, a longtime Y&R fan noticed that Doug hadn’t been on Y&R since an episode that aired back in November 2020. That’s when he tweeted, “I think I am done. After 43 years, I am treated like a day player. No bueno.”
Fast-forward, after lack of communication with the Y&R brass, and his social media updates on how he felt the CBS soap had disrespected him, to Sunday, July 23rd. Now, Davidson tweeted what would appear to be closure on the matter. For Doug, had gone back to CBS Television City last weekend and gathered what was left of his time Paul Williams.
Courtesy/CBS
Doug shared, “Well, I cleaned out my dressing room a week ago Saturday. Yes it was sad for several reasons. 1. It was my home for over 40 years and it was like a ghost town. ‘Price’ has left, and the new owner of TV City isn’t really keeping it up. The sets were all small and a bit tired.”
After receiving an outpouring of support from fans, Doug added in another tweet, “Thank you all for all the kind messages! Sending lots of love right back to you all!! And of course I’m eternally grateful to Bill and Lee Bell and CBS for EVERYTHING.”
To clarify, what Davidson was referring to in his tweet. The Price is Right is moving to new production digs for its fall season in Glendale, California called Haven, while another CBS game show, Let’s Make a Deal, will also make the move to Haven. The show has been currently shooting episodes in Sylmar, California. Both shows used to shoot at CBS TV City where Y&R and B&B are currently taped.
So, what do you think about Doug Davidson finally clearing out his Y&R dressing room? From the sounds of it, this just reemphasizes, that the character of Paul Williams will not be part of the on-screen canvas.
Well, I cleaned out my dressing room a week ago Saturday. Yes it was sad for several reasons. 1. It was my home for over 40 years and it was like a ghost town. Price has left, and the new owner of TV City isn’t really keeping it up. The sets were all small and a bit tired. ☹️
— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) July 23, 2023
Question – Why is Josh Griffith still there???? Totally shameful!
After almost 3 years, it’s kind of surprising it wasn’t cleaned out earlier. Be weary of biting the hand that feeds you. GH has recurring veteran actors heavily involved in storylines (right now Wally Kurth, Lynn Herring). Shame Y&R can’t adjust.
And Tristan Rogers, who was once THE leading man. He was a super soap star. Tristan understood that the torch had to be passed and he he wanted to continue working. Davidson sounds like an immature prima Donna.
Doug was on recurring status and most likely receiving money from CBS so the dressing room would remain his? but recently he was let go so———-
dunno..
Recurring performers only get paid for episodes in which they appear. He would not have received any money since 2020.
There is something going on here that is bigger than any of us know. The fact that Paul was not brought back for the 50th when his daughter and granddaughter were is very telling. We have NO knowledge of what went down … we have no idea who is at fault. This show has a long history of firing people for backstage dramatics … Brenda Dickson as Jill, Victoria Rowell as Drucilla … Michael Muhney as Adam…now this. Doug Davidson seems like a nice chill guy like his character Paul was but who knows. We have NO idea what goes on backstage and which bridges have been burned. For the show to just so willingly wipe a beloved character like Paul from the canvas … that says that Doug himself may have been the problem.
Indeed, we do not know what happened; it’s such a shame that someone who was with the show over 40 years had to leave on bad terms. Someone posted on a board that she read he was invited to attend the 50th but declined to do so. Who knows.
I agree 100%! We only know his side of the story so of course his fans are going to jump to his side/defense…IMO, talking $hit about the show isn’t the wisest thing to do, especially if you want your gig back. Whatever happened behind the scenes that the general public isn’t privy to probably is a totally different bowl of soup then the one he’s serving. Imjustsaying…
I agree we don’t know the full story; there’s no way we could, of course. But to offer another perspective on the same theme: For 40 years an actor gets along fine with all sorts of PTB (including some notoriously difficult ones), and then TPTB change and the incoming ones can’t work with him? That suggests that current PTB may be the problem, not the actor. (I’m not saying that that’s necessarily the case, mind you, just that I can come up with an equally plausible scenario in which the same logic points to a different culprit. Most of the time, we never really find out/know for sure, even years later, what went on in situations like this one.)
I will point out that Sony seems willing to let the producers have their way in cases like this; they apparently let JFP drive Michelle Stafford away (and Billy Miller too), although there again, it’s hard to know exactly what went down.
It’s because he is a conservative and the brass are super liberal.
Then how do you explain Christian LeBlanc ( Michael Baldwin) and Greg Rikaart( Kevin Fisher) being put on reoccurring status? They’re both ultra liberal. There’s a whole litany of actors from Y&R being put on reoccurring status and most of them are liberal. It’s not politics it’s just the current status of the soap genre.
I agree the sets look a bit tired.
Y&R is bursting with millionaires and billionaires, belonging to a high fortune 500 high list, and yet, only 3 main families have homes/mansions of one small room lol..
GH– most all have homes and BIG room(s)..the GH hospital is huge as are the other establishments….
Y&R sets are tinny, usually a small room..
Newman mansion…A table with a chess game..a couch, a coffee table, a fireplace, and Victor’s chair all squished into a very small area….aha that’s it for a multi-billionaire’s mansion lol
GH apartment’s living rooms are huge in comparison to Victor’s mansion’s tiny living room..
Plus, the Quartermaines have multiple sets:
– Foyer/stairwell/living room
– Den/terrace
– Kitchen/patio
– Solarium (new)
– Gatehouse
– Stables
– Boathouse/dock
And that beige hotel room Sally is always in has seen more action than Grand Central Station. It’s the same damn room being used for Sally, Adam, Phyllis, Victoria, Nate, Summer and where Michael and Lauren spent their anniversary. I know I’m missing someone. When Victoria and Nate were naked in bed, I fully expected Sally to pop up from the covers.
If there is bad blood between show and star, ok… but don’t just let the character evaporate. That is poor storytelling. I think Paul Williams can be vital as a recurring character. I would accept a new actor in the role although I have enjoyed Mr. Davidson’s work through the years.
I loved Paul they need to bring him back especially with the Phyllis thing being revisited when she hit him and Cricket. He seems like a nice guy but who knows what he’s like behind the scenes.
I am sad and disgusted the way CBS and The Young and the Restless treated Doug Davidson. He was on the show for 40 years and was a faithful cast member plus he was a great actor. I watched him from the time I was 11. I hope that Bradley Bell will bring him to the Bold and the Beautiful and if not General Hospital needs to hire him. He would be a great addition to either show
Except we don’t know the actual details of how he was “treated” — or how he treated the show and its cast/crew — only what Mr Davidson has said. Y&R will not be able to comment on personnel matters for legal reasons so we will likely never know the actual truth. It seems odd he still had anything in his dressing room when he hasn’t been on the show literally in years. Finally, semi-related, the last thing General Hospital needs is another senior citizen in its cast. The vets on that show, and there are a lot of them, get plenty of air time for senior representation.
And it may very well be that Doug is Y&Rs Ingo, they are just quieter about it all around. Just speculating, btw.
the story lines are as tired as the sets. All they do is eat, drink and change high level jobs that always seem so readily available.
What a drama queen! He was offered the same deal as Laura Lee Bell, and she accepted it, and she’s still on the soap. It’s been five years. He needs to stop his bellyaching. No wonder he’s a MAGA.
Laura bell is the highest paid actress only because she is by their daughter! That’s bull and she isn’t a very good actress either!
Where are your resources coming from ” Pennywise” on highest paid actress.How ignorant.
Josh Griffith WAKE UP CBS/SONY get rid of this idiot – he’s had runied this show, I am sure Bell’s are turning in their graves.
Why does CBS keep him?
Letting Doug Davidson go after 40yrs is shamefull, CBS shame on you, but you keep Josh Griffith there with the storylines that are repeats that NO BODY CARES about seeing.
We need Gina G back, we need fire on the show, its boring!!!
The Phyllis vs Diane we’ve seen this before its’ old. Who cares……..
A show that has lasted this long will be buried soon!
Agree 100 percent
I agree.
Doug had 43 years–
Nothing lasts forever…
Is Y and R studio moving also? Where?
I think he would do real well at General Hospital . They should create a character for him there.
Missed you, “Paul”—one of my favorite characters, who unfortunately was given a heavy burden to bear—Sainted Holy Christine—
While the writers are waiting for David to clean out his dressing room, they should clean out Sharon’s character and bring her up to speed to this century. Mama bear should look for a Papa bear to lay-herself-down…..Not bear cubs!!
This is not only stupidly redundant but also disappointing. I feel that Summer and Chance had vibes between them. All Sharon has is probably more experience in the boudoir.
I did not feel the sexual tension between this mother-and-son kind of relationship—Gimme a break!!
PS—To be fair? The Nick and Sally “saga” is just as pathetic.
I actually like Adam with Sally—-Everyone has slept with each other over and over—-and the discordant best goes on—
I know I’ve said this before—all remaining soaps should just get one big gigantic bed and have all the characters share it. Nothing original . Nothing inspirational.
Haha really!!
Real total crap…not even an exit story from an actor who gave decades to the show.. Y&R has the worst environment out of all the soaps. This nver would have happened if Bill Bell had been there still helming the show. That man has to be turning in his grave seeing how his legacy is being shown today.
It is not the same show DD had some great storylines over the years . Enjoy your retirement Doug.
Except Doug Davidson didn’t “give decades to the show.” It’s not a charity. He was paid for his work — and he was extraordinarily fortunate to have a steady paycheck for decades in an industry where job security is fleeting at best.
We don’t know what actually went down behind the scenes, but Doug was vocal in publicly criticizing the show and that’s a big no-no not only in showbiz but most businesses where employees are not allowed to talk poorly about their employer.
And Bill Bell was all about bringing in new generations, new families and knowing when a character had run its course, so I’m not sure it’s fair to speculate on how he would have handled this.
The problem started when the show offered him a recurring status and not a contract which has been happeing with many veteran actors on the soaps. He made his feelings very public and the show decided not to use him. Lauralee Bell and others accepted that offer and still appear on the show. He took a chance and thought he could win by criticizing the show in public and lost that battle. I also remeber the story of him physically attacking Nelson Branco at an awards event.
I’m sure the decisions made on actors and set are all because of the bottom line. Money. Years ago the budget was limitless, now, their budgets have tight purse strings, and they’ve cut down on everything and anything they can.
I’ve watched you from day 1, it pretty hard when some people leave, and ar no longer cast on the show.youu are greatly missed, I pray you find some comfort, being with your wife and your new journey in life.., Not forgotten.
I thought Doug did an excellent job and should have been on the show more than what he was really is going to be missed bad mistakes CBS
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!”
Photo: ABC
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).
Photo: ABC
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.
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
GH’s Wally Kurth on Ned’s Talk To Brook Lynn Before Walking Her Down the Aisle: “Everytime I Read it, I Choked Up. At Rehearsal, I Choked Up”
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn Speaks Out for Jailed Former On-Screen Daughter, Haley Pullos
GH’s Amanda Setton Previews Brook Lynn & Chase’s Wedding: “It’s a Really Satisfying Payoff for the Fans”
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
Motion Picture Star Chris Hemsworth, a ‘Home and Away’ Alum, Defends Soap Operas, ‘It Used to Bother Me When Actors Would Later Talk About the Show with Guilt or Shame”
‘The Bold and the Beautiful Music from the Series Volume Two’ Released Featuring Dramatic Story Themes
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
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