News
SONY TV President Steve Mosko's Speech at Y&R 40th Celebration & How The Soap Genre Has Turned Around!
Courtesy/SonyPicturesTelevis
On Tuesday, the cast and crew of The Young and the Restless, executives from Sony and CBS, and invited press, gathered to honor the accomplishment of the number one soap, it’s 40th anniversary! With the stars in attendance, Sony Pictures Television President, Steve Mosko addressed the room, and related what an accomplishment 40 years truly is, how much the reinvigorated support of CBS Daytime had meant to the show, and how in a very dark climate just a few years ago, soaps are having a resurgence, while Mosko clearly pointed out what happened to another network that did not support their soaps.
Here now below is the main portion of Mosko’s speech, that we thought fans of Y&R, and fans of the genre in general, would appreciate!
Steve Mosko: “I want to say, this is the hardest working group here at Y&R. I always laugh in a good way, by the way, when I go and talk about network shows and go, “Oh by the way, we have 22 episodes of it.” But its unconscionable, how hard all of you work. Both the writing, the crew, and the cast … it’s absolutely amazing that you did it five days a week, 52 weeks a year, for 40 years. My hats off to you, because it’s astounding. I can’t thank you enough from all of us at Sony for all your hard work. Lee (Phillip Bell) who would have thought after 40 years, we all would be standing here talking about how great the show is, but it’s not just surviving, but thriving. This show is still kicking ass!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
What gives me chills today, in a great way, is the fact that a couple of years ago, there were a lot of people in the industry who didn’t believe in this genre. I know all of you did, and I know for sure, we did. We have fought, and fought, and fought, which is why today is a great day for all of us, because you know what? We hung in there. We did great work and this genre is thriving. This show is doing fantastic. And, what I want to say is; I want to thank these two people over here, Nina Tassler, President CBS Entertainment and Angelica McDaniel, Sr. VP Daytime CBS Entertainment. Through Nina and Angelica, the support we get from CBS is amazing. I know there was a day, and a time, when I was involved with these shows, and it was like there was the “network” and it was sort of spoken under your breath. I will tell you that they are amazing partners and great supporters of the genre. Just look across the street at another network that didn’t support the genre, and look at what happened. CBS has passion about this and is supporting us, and again, if it wasn’t for you, we would not be here as well. It’s just great, because we know how we are being taken care of. Another 40? What do we think? (Laughs) Anyways, congratulations to everybody!”
So soap fans, what do you think about Mosko’s comments on how soaps are doing now? How Y&R is being supported by CBS? Do you feel a difference in the climate on how soaps are perceived, after fighting hard for its survival? Weigh-in!
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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General HospitalMay 10, 2024John J. York Back at General Hospital
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General HospitalMay 11, 2024GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
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General HospitalMay 13, 2024GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
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Days Of Our LivesMay 12, 2024Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
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General HospitalMay 9, 2024Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
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NewsMay 8, 2024Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged
CBS has nothing to say about ABC… they also cancelled two classic soaps…Guiding Light and As The World Turns with the latter being the one i miss the most, and like OLTL on ABC was still good to the very end!
I was thinking the same thing before I even read any posts. If they really supported the genre they would have come up with a creative solution to keep GL and ATWT on the air. And the only reason they care about Y&R is because it has been the number one soap for 24 years- it would be pretty difficult explaining cancelling it to their many sponsors at this time slot. But trust me if the ratings dived and expenses kept soaring they would cancel it quicker than you can say hypocrites.
Guiding Light and ATWT were cancelled by Proctor and Gamble, NOT CBS. CBS does not own any show except B&B. Y&R (and DAYS) is owned by SONY.
AMC and OLTL were owned by the network ABC, which is why they had the say on whether to cancel them or not.
Jules, your post doesn’t make any sense at all.
ATWT/GL were owned by P&G but it is is CBS that cancelled these soaps, not P&G.
Secondly, B&B is not owned by CBS. It is owned by Bell Philip Television.
Even so, CBS could have took them over if they truly supported the genre`. They purchased The Secret Storm in the late 60s but unfortunately they mishandled that one and had to cancel it, however they still could have done something to save ASWTs.
What is the famous saying? Common sense isn’t so common?
1) P&G owned, produced, sponsored ATWT. They pulled out, so CBS pulled the plug.
2) I was always under the impression Bell Phillip Television Productions Inc. was a subsidiary of CBS.
In any event, right or wrong, being rude just makes you seem so small, and not just to me but to the other poster you addressed as well. Lighten up.
Hi Jules- I Googled the topic and everything I read said it was CBS and not P&G that pulled the plug on both shows. ATWT was their last scripted drama on the air and with its cancellation they no longer produced soaps, but they didn’t pull out of that show- the network cancelled it due to “low ratings”. The suits at P&G at the time came out saying there were going try to find a new home for the show, but in the end could not. Of course this is the official story- there might have been a back story that you are referring to, but on paper it was a CBS decision.
CBS did not support ATWT’S. That soap had been on TV for almost 54 years and we still miss it terribly. Bring back Jack and Carly and Holden and Lily. We miss our CarJack.
I miss them all!
I totally agree. However, I miss Lucinda and Lisa the most. Why Y&R or B&B have not hired the talented Elizabeth Hubbard for a role is beyond me. I would KILL to see her as a recast Dina Abbott Mergeron on Y&R.
With the constant talk about the “death” and revival of AMC and OLTL, I grit my teeth that everyone seems to have forgotten ATWT. GL was in very bad shape when it left the air but ATWT really could have (and should have been “saved”).
Oh yes Barbara, Liz Hubbard would be great as Dina or on any soap. Would love to see Colleen Z. ex Barbara Ryan on any of these soaps too. I have that Upstairs/Downstairs holiday special they did and i play it every Christmas. They were all so good in that, especially Liz as the cook and Barbara as the propriertress of the Barbara Ryan Home for Unwed Mothers…a hoot!
!
This is exactly why Y&R has been #1 for 24 years, they have the support from CBS, they are interactive with the fan on Twitter.. ABC gave no support to their soaps at all.
Where was CBS support of As The World Turns? So i wouldnt blame ABC 4 everything!
I don’t think Jewell knows what he/she is talking about. GH actors interacts all the time with the fans on Twitter.
Of course CBS will support Y&R; it is the highest rated soap opera for crying out loud. The moment Y&R and/or B&B start doing real bad in the ratings, CBS will drop them like a bad habit.
AGREED!!!
Congradulations to CBS.This is why I only watch GH on ABC.They didn’t support there soap fans and said they could train us to watch whatever they put on.I wish all soap fans would do the same.Don’t support a network that brung down two soaps on purpose.Frons tore down the writing and ABC wanted them to drop and blame it on the soap fans.Anne Sweeney said she did not want any daytime scripted shows on ABC.I will boycott ABC for the rest of my life and only watch GH..day and night.
CBS let P&G drop ATWT&GL with no attempts to find a way to save them…Support the genre m.a.!!!
You are partly right. CBS did not want to carry those two shows anymore because the ratings were low. P&G as the producer of those shows could have market them to another network, but either could not find a new home or didn’t try. Yet, P&G still owns those two shows as well as Another World, perhaps if PP experiment of reviving cancelled soaps on the web is successful, P&G will follow suit and either sell their rights to those shows or produce their own web version.
But for the original network cancellation, everything I read on the topic yesterdays said it was a CBS decision to no longer carry those shows on their network. If they had renew them P&G would have produced them; it was only after their last soap on air was not renewed they decided to get out of the daytime scripted drama in the States- I think I read they still help produce some Spanish novella’s in the Latin America market
Lets Go for 40 more Y & R Congratulations! GH ets go for 50 more!
Love it!!!
Y&R lives on!
Glad they are supporting Y&R. He has alot of nerve to be oquoted as saying they support the soaps and to be saying anything about the other network not supporting theirs! They cancelled the oldest of them all just a few years ago which was Guiding Light it predated television as it was on Radio for decades before!! Guiding Light had 70 combined years of Radio and TV, CBS gave it no respect and swept it under the rug along with As The World Turns with 50 or so years. Viewers also tried to stop that from happening by mail, email etc… but they did not listen. Prospect Park has at least worked to restore the beloved Daytime drama, aka, scripted drama, aka Soaps in a new form. Fans have the chance to again see what they want to see. Good Luck Y&R and B&B for many, many more years. Welcome back to AMC & OLTL on April 29. Long live the Soaps.
They cancelled those two old soaps because they were OLD. Nobody was watching them anymore except my grandmother and her friends. At least AMC and OLTL have a young audience and were still relevant today.
Their were many young people watching ATWT and GL, and i use to have local fan club meetings to discuss them. More than 1/2 who attended out of the 47 to show up were 19 to 32 years old and they loved these shows. AMC and OLTL too were also part of the discusion with some admitting they taped one while watching the other. Just because those two soaps were ‘old’ didnt mean they didnt have young viewers. Maybe if you got out of grandmas house you would know this. ATWT and GL ratings werent much higher than the two younger soaps, so if they had such a youthful audience and are so revelent how come they werent doing so much better?
one more thing GH is only a few younger than the OLD ATWT, and a few years older than OLTL and AMC so watch out OLD age is catching up to them so sooner or later theyll need to be cancelled too!
Nice that the suits are seeing the value of Soap Operas finally, but there is no “turn around” going on here…
Daytime Dramas or Soap Operas have never lost their appeal….no not ever!
They still stand as the most consistently watched programs as they continue to serve as the arch-type that set the standard on which all prime time dramas or night time soaps such as Grey’s Anatomy, Castle, Body Of Proof and all the others draw from.
Anyway….Congratulations on your 40th Y&R.
And General Hospital: You are looking so nifty at 50 ! Congratulations!
well it is nice..but he seems to forget how CBS cancelled Guiding Light and As the World Turns not so long ago..so Steve..maybe Sony support its daytime soaps (well for now) but CBS…not so much…
CBS didn’t cancel those shows. CBS never owned them. Proctor and Gamble did. And they wanted out of the soap business…..not hand washing or dishwashing soap, they’re still deep in that business, but the soap opera business.
CBS couldve saved them if the really wanted to…
ABC is totally supporting GH, now..
All the sets and on site/location, shots payroll for the vets returns etc is a huge financial investment, ..
I feel GH will go on now that there is actually team work between ABC and the peoples of GH..
One can see that ABC realizes its’ daytime mistake and showing the value in soaps by producing their prime-time soaps that have become hits.. They do know soaps are addictive and loved.
GH is safe ..
We will see if their support and investment continues after they milk the 50th Anniversary cash cow to death. If they are doing the same in 2 years I might believe it, but for now- call me skeptical.
we will see…
ABC has not learned anything. I think you are going to be disappointed.
I agree with Mary SF except I say they cancel it before the end of the year.
I hope what he says about the support from the CBS president and senior VP is true. Too bad the same cannot be said out the jug headed executives at another outfit.
Congratulation to everyone at Y&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL.. the ”he other jug headed executives” are 100% supporting GH..
GH would not be where it is and on screens if it were not being supported by ABC who has invested a great amount of money into GH this past year.. 🙂
Fronz is gone, it is a new day at ABC for GH ..
su0000 Erica S said in an interview that Brian Frons did not cancel the shows he did not have that power. She said it was ABC & Disney.
CBS is no different then any other network…these jugheads at CBS cancelled two of its soaps GL and ATWT so they do not 100% support the genre or they wouldve have at least found a way to save them or replaced them with a new soap.
It’s nice to hear something positive about my old employer, Sony, for once.
Sony gets a bad wrap, but they really do not back losing horses. They want to make money and they have quality programming. They could have easily decided to stop producing Y&R like other production companies and struck a deal with CBS for a cheap talk show or game show. However, they seem to have an investment in Y&R and DOOL.
Y&R has been under the Sony umbrella since 1973. They are proud of that show and it is evident on the lot and in the plaza with their marketing.
It’s easy for them to say the believe in the genre when the ratings are up and the shows are getting publicity. But if those ratings drop …
Couldn’t agree more what he said about ABC. Although CBS cancelled soaps in the past it seems they care a lot more about them now.
Soaps fans are the most loyal of any TV genre. It would be nice if Sony & CBS could acknowledge that there are thousands & thousands of fans that live all over the world that have watched & loved Y&R, B&B etc & who go to extreme lengths to track down up to date episodes online. We would like to be able to gain access via CBS from our countries & not feel like we are being penalised for living outside of Nth America. We are just as loyal a fan base as viewers in The US & Canada & have been watching theses shows for decades too.
CBS should hire back Victoria Rowell. Please.
Several of you people sound less supportive of soaps than ABC!!! All i hear from some of you is that you believe ABC will cancel GH by the end of the year as if you hope it happens just to prove a damn point!!! First of all they may announce its cancelled but the show would still air to 2014! But it almost seems like you think itll end before then! NBC and CBS both cancelled soaps over the years such as
AW, PASSIONS, ATWT, &GL ect but almost everyone acts as if only ABC cancelled low rated soaps! Sure they could have found ways to save them but not just ABC! OLTL ratings were up but that mostly happen after its cancellation notice…same thing happen to DS in 1971! I love watching soaps and hope all of them survive. Dont stop watching just because theres a few things you dislike about them unless you feel the whole show is bad. Lets prove to all the networks there is viewer support for the genre and that they still entertain us by watching them…its the least you could do. Otherwise without your viewership they will be cancelled and YOU’LL be more to blame than the networks that show them.!!!
i loved drucilla winters. but victoria rowell is a diva. she was a trouble maker on the set of the young and the restless. she never got along with some of her co workers. i say recast the role soon. victoria rowell is a brat. grow up and get some coucelling victoria.