News
Y&R's Christmas Episode Shows That Its Emotional Heart Is Back And Beating Strong!
Courtesy/CBS
Watching Friday’s Christmas episode of The Young and the Restless reminds us how attention to the characters we love, their dynamics with each other, and how subtle moments played can resonate with its longtime and faithful viewers.
Under head writer Sally Sussman’s leadership, the writing of the series has already gotten back to some of the reasons that made Y&R a classic in the first place. On this holiday installment, the Newmans gather for their annual gathering with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) hoping both her sons: Dylan (Steve Burton) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) will both attend. Unfortunately, Sharon (Sharon Case) and Dylan decide to sit this out, because of the volatile situation around Christian. When the two are together, they lament that they both have a secret – they have each been carrying a photo of “Sully” aka Christian with them. It’s a wistful time for Sharon and Dylan and touchingly played by Sharon Case and Steve Burton.
While Nick and Sharon’s daughter, Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) has decided to for now live with Nikki and Victor (Eric Braeden), Christmas is just lonely for Sharon and Dylan without kids around. In another touching moment while at the Newman gathering, Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) misses Adam. Victor sees she is very sad, and reveals that he misses Adam, too. Then in another emotional moment for longtime viewers, the unbreakable bond between Victor and Nick is shown through two examples 1) Nick harkeing back to when he was a young boy how he loved listening to his dad tell the Christmas story, and still does. 2) In a flashback, Victor lifted him young Nick up to put the star on the tree, which is something In 2016, Nick did with his daughter, Faith.
Many major characters were part of this episode including: Billy (Jason Thompson) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle), who are happy to see each other, no matter how they try to protest. Cane (Daniel Goddard) even gave an olive branch to Billy to put aside their differences for the day, as he understands how much Billy misses his childen. We even had a lovely moment between Billy and his mother, Jill, played wonderfully by Thompson and Jess Walton.
However, it was the final moments of the episode that may have made viewers reach for the hankies. That was when Nick decides the right thing to do on Christmas Eve is to bring Christian over to see Dylan and Sharon. The scene when he walks through the front door and hands Christian to Dylan while Sharon is filled with tears, capped a well-written holiday broascast.
So, what did you think of Y&R’s Christmas episode? What was your favorite moment during it? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s Tabyana Ali Responds to Nicholas Chavez Exit: “I Hope That We Will Get the Chance to Work Together Again Someday”
The “Sprina” that everyone knew and loved is not coming back in the form fans have been accustomed to, at least, anytime soon after Nicholas Chavez last week confirmed his exit from General Hospital.
After months of speculation if Chavez would return to his soap role, after exiting to film a leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, he revealed he has stepped away from the role via a post on his social media accounts.
Now, the other half of Sprina, Tabyana Ali, has offered up her thoughts on Nick’s exit from the series. Speaking to Soap Opera Digest, she shared, “I want the best for him and all of his endeavors and I hope that we will get the chance to work together again someday. I also want to show my gratitude to Sprina Nation as well.”
Photo: ABC
As to what the future holds for Trina, and where the character goes from here, Tabyana would like to see a character turn, adding, “I would like her to have a vendetta story or a revenge story. Or the love of her life is gone and now she just turned evil a little bit.”
However, Ali is very aware that Trina is not wired like that emotionally, at least, as she is written now, “I don’t know how much that would be possible. She’s such a kind-hearted person at her core.”
Photo: ABC
How would you feel if the show recast the role of Spencer with another actor, and brought Spencer back from the “dead”, given that his body was not found? Would you like to see another actor paired with Tabyana? Or, should Trina find happiness with a new love, and THEN, a recast Spencer shows back up?
And you never know, as Nicholas Chavez put it in his exit statement, “While there are no current plans for me to return, we are still talking very openly about future possibilities for Spencer in Port Charles.”
Vote in our poll below, and let us know what your hopes are for Trina’s future, via the comment section below.
News
WWE Reveals WrestleMania 41 Host City as Las Vegas in April 2025
It was seemingly down to the tale of two cities, would it be Minneapolis or Las Vegas that would host WrestleMania 41 next year? On May 4th, following WWE Backlash in Lyon, France streaming on Peacock, the official announcement was made.
Opting for the warmer climate, the WWE in conjunction with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, revealed that Las Vegas will host WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20, 2025.
“Las Vegas is the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World. Allegiant Stadium has proven to be even greater than the A+ venue Las Vegas guaranteed it would be,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We look forward to bringing WWE’s biggest event, WrestleMania, to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium so we can collectively make WrestleMania 41 on April 19 & 20, 2025, the most successful WWE event of all time.”
“Bringing the iconic global brands of WWE and Las Vegas together will create what is sure to be an unforgettable event and weekend,” said Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President & CEO. “As the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World, hosting WrestleMania 41 is the perfect addition to our events calendar, and we can’t wait to welcome the WWE Universe to Las Vegas in 2025.”
In addition to the two-night stadium event, WWE will bring Raw, SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, WWE World and the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony to Las Vegas, as well as a variety of community outreach events designed to give back to the local region.
This past April, WrestleMania 40 took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and had a combined attendance of 145,298 for the two-night event. WrestleMania 40 became the most successful and highest-grossing event in company history, and the WWE will aim to break that record next year in Las Vegas.
The last time WrestleMania was in Las Vegas was back in 1993 when it was held at Caesars Palace and was the first WrestleMania event to be held outdoors.
So, what do you think of Las Vegas becoming the host city for WrestleMania 41? Do you think this year’s cold climate in Philadelphia swayed the decision against Minneapolis? Will The Rock return as “The Final Boss” to battle WWE Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes, next year at WrestleMania? Stay tuned.
General Hospital
Nicholas Chavez Confirms Exit From General Hospital
On Friday May 3rd, it was confirmed by Nicholas Chavez that he has indeed left his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital.
Taking to his account on X, Chavez shared some heartfelt goodbyes to the cast, the creatives and the fans of the ABC daytime drama series. This comes after months of speculation and reports that Chavez is not returning to his Daytime Emmy-winning role.
Chavez left the soap to go film his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix limited series, Monsters: The The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and in story on GH, Spencer went overboard on a boat, when he was drugged by Esme (Avery Pohl) on the Seine River in France. His body and Esme’s thus far have never been found.
Photo: ABC
In his heartfelt message on X, Nicholas expressed, “I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that GH gave me, and I wouldn’t be as busy as I am professionally if it weren’t for the talented producers, writers, directors and fellow actors. Frank Valentini is a mentor and a friend, and we’ve had some pretty extensive conversations about my future on the show.”
Photo: ABC
Sharing his thoughts on if the would ever come back to GH, Chavez added, “While there are no current plans for me to return, we are still talking very openly about future possibilities for Spencer in Port Charles.”
Finally, Nicholas shared,”Beyond the people I’ve already mentioned, I want to take some time to thank and honor the GH fan base… especially the Sprina fans… who must be THE most loyal and kind fan base in the universe of entertainment. Words fail to show the depth of my gratitude, thank you, I love you all very, very much.”
Photo: ABC
Nicholas took over the role of Spencer previously played by Nicolas Bechtel, in July of 2021, and his last episode aired on January 31st, 2024. In April, reports surfaced that the actor was not returning to GH after all.
What do you think about Nicholas Chavez farewell message? Are you sad that he has confirmed his exit from GH, or were you expecting it? Comment below.
I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that GH gave me, and I wouldn’t be as busy as I am professionally if it weren’t for the talented producers, writers, directors and fellow actors.
Frank Valentini is a mentor and a friend, and we’ve had some pretty extensive conversations…
— Nicholas Alexander Chavez (@nicholasachavez) May 3, 2024
GH’s Tabyana Ali Responds to Nicholas Chavez Exit: “I Hope That We Will Get the Chance to Work Together Again Someday”
(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
WWE Reveals WrestleMania 41 Host City as Las Vegas in April 2025
(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
Nicholas Chavez Confirms Exit From General Hospital
Nicholas Chavez Confirms Exit From General Hospital
Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn
(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
(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
Tristan Riggs is General Hospital’s New Aiden
(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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Excellent, Superb. It’s so wonderful to see Y&R return to what it should be. I loved the whole show but the ending with Nick taking Christian over to see Sharon and Dylan was the icing on the cake. THANKS again to Sally and Kay, us fans so appreciate what both of you have done since your return to Y&R.
OK- being honest.
Y&R is good, I love it
BUT-
The dialogue has been overly lame sappy campy in the Christmas scenes, and the phoney laughing was funny, actually.. I had some chuckles over it.
As long as I can get a chuckle or two from the campy sappy dialogue, I’m good with it.
I read a Harlequin love book, whatever their purpose was, once.
And I had book flashbacks of the dialogue of the book and Y&R, these days.
Y&R is great—
but a big GGGEEEEZUS for the campy sappy over done giggly laffy phoney Christmas stuff LOL ..
(sorta missing Pratt) but still luvin Y&R..
GOOD GAWD AMIGHTY CHILD. Did you bump Yo haid???
Merry Christmas, davlestev1 ..
No, I did not bump my head so I can’t use it as an excuse lol ..
That type of gooey sap dialogue is just Not Natural Speak .. It’s too Cutesie.
Genoa City is Dullsville..
Nothing going on that would be considered as gripping drama yeah know something a bit suspenseful or even exciting .
At the least, they could unleash Krampus!
We’ll all have `Watcher Diabetes` from an overdose of Christmas sugar.
Soaps ARE drama and at the present, Y&R is greatly lacking in delivering it..
But– I’m still luvin’ Y&R ..
I’ll second that! Miss Pratt? you’ve got to be joking!
suoo, I wish you’d look up the word “sappy” because you don’t seem to be clear on its meaning.
You were correct when you used to praise RC’s campy writing on GH. Now that was camp. Back then you used “campy” as compliment and now you seem to use it as an insult.
But unless you’re counting the fabulous Gloria, Y&R is not utilizing camp right now. It is currently grounding their characters back into reality and writing them in character rather than out of character.
Is Y&R kind of sappy right now? Yes, but I prefer to say it is sentimental.. But campy? No.
Hi Addison..
Ok– Sappy-
Excessively sentimental; mawkish.
Sad or romantic in a foolish or exaggerated way.
There is all types of camp like the B-Westerns are cheesy campy.
Japanese science fiction films such as Rodan are pure exaggerated camp.
And, the difference between “naive” and “deliberate” camp… like; naive camp is tasteless deliberate camp..
A fav is Mommie Dearest that was attempting to produce a serious movie that wound up unintentionally comedic dark camp lol
The Superman movie #1 Superman was screwball campy !!
And Yuck camp like-
Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Female Trouble, Polyester, Cecil B. Demented etc..
More and different campy– Batman probably the first Super Hero television campiness, and the original Star Trek.
And- The Munsters, The Addams Family pure screwball camp
and exaggerated comedy like Get Smart was Yuk Camp.
There is people/persons camp like- Divine, RuPaul, Paul Lynde, and Liberace Campy .
And– “cheesy” camp and ”sappy” camp.. exaggerated Drama camp.
There are all types of camp..
more-
Some fans describe Dark Shadows as totally serious horror-driven program, while others loved it for the Exaggeration and hidden humour. It is true camp, ”Drama” camp.
and–
Some soap scenes are like the Simpsons camp’ to be tragically ludicrous or ludicrously tragic.. lol
“camp” can always be interpreted in at least two ways and the Y&R Christmas stuff is pure ”sappy” camp…
I do think that some soaps do campy but I don’t think any soap does it all the time..
It is all the charms of a soap opera..
MERRY CHRISMAS!!
Merry Christmas to you, Miss SUOO!
And I stand corrected. I meant you need to look up the word “campy” not “sappy”
While I love Y&R’s sentimentality, I can totally understand why you might call it sappy.
As you young folks say, my bad.
Y&R HAS ALREADY GOTTEN BETTER .SO GLAD PRATT’S GONE.
Goodness suOOO, What do you want? More plane crashes, fires, explosions??? I’m SO over the Pratt crap. He and Jill Firing Phelps couldn’t have left sooner.
Can I ask you a question? How long have you been watching Y&R?
This was a well written Christmas episode. The way they used to be.
Please stop whining. Do you want JFP and Pratt back!!!
Hi Gina ..
LOL you are Whining over my opinion .. 😉
Merry Christmas!
The Holidays, the REAL ONES ..
—- MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!! HO HO HO !!!
C’mon, bring it in for a big group Christmas
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HUG }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
I Wish you all peace and joy and lots of food and gifts!
Enjoy every moment with family and friends!
AND—–
Hanukkah, the annual Jewish Festival of Lights, overlaps with Christmas this year—an occurrence that hasn’t happened since 1978 and won’t take place again until 2027. (( begins this year on Dec. 24.
To All celebrating Hanukkah-
!!! Wishing you a great joyful Hanukkah !!!
— Love & Peace —
Dear Michael Fairman..
Have a great Christmas or Holiday!
Wishing you JOY, LOVE, and HAPPY HAPPY food and gifts!
God Bless ..
Merry Christimas Su!
That was very sweet of you, su0000! Wishing you and your loved ones as well as all the other terrific people posting at this site and site moderators a wonderful holiday season!
Take care, Friends! 🙂
The show is actually uncomfortable to watch now (if you can stay awake through the boredom that is). The horrible dialogue, the cringe-worthy “acting” (will Steve Burton’s face crack if he ever changes his expression?), the endless scenes about…nothing. This show has reverted to the 80s, and that is not a good thing.
Well, I most respectfully disagree. If it has reverted back to the 80’s, it’s in order to go back to the characters and their histories. I feel Sally Sussman is putting the chest pieces (Lauren and Michael back in their apartment with Gloria, Esther back at the Chancellor mansion as a maid, etc).back in their rightful positions in order to propel move the characters forward. Yes, I shall use an over used phrase because it’s appropriate–what you will have in 2017 will be well written character driven stories.
Maybe the repair period is dull for you but fasted your seat belts, the subsequent days will be a bumpy and fun ride.
I am afraid I do agree with you about Buurton. I think he’s a good actor it’s just they keep putting him in these cringe worthy situations where all he can do is sit there frowning like Charlie Brown on Christmas. It’s hard to watch him.
Addison, good response.
Me is right.
Y&R has felt like total filler material and endless long chatting about nothing.
I will start calling her Snoozefest Sally if the boring episodes and slow pace continue into Jan.
hi Newmanwins and Me..
I agree with both of you..
Y&R is imo reverting back to the snooze fest of Jean and Shelly’s writing.
IMO this episode proves you don’t need computer viruses, super evil villains or look a likes taking over a life– to have drama– yes it is a more subtle form of drama– but the whole episode although focus on the holiday the undercurrents were all there– who is Bella’s father– the tension between two brothers, a family struggling with forgiveness, torn between a life time of love and deep hurt- financial worries- dealing with profound loss and so many other conflicts and secrets– all there as everyone gathered to celebrate. And drama is authentic– could be happening to any of us– a fight between spouses (Devon and Hilary) dealing with misbehaving children (Victoria and her kids at the coffee house)- a child tracking Santa journey on the computer (Faith)– the traditions kept (Newman’s) the traditions broken (the Abbott’s)– there was a lot going on– but it isn’t thrown in your face like plot driven drama– this kind of drama you actually have to paid attention to, listen to the words being said and what is not being said–
It was truly a Merry Christmas for soap viewers—looking forward to a better New Year in soaps as well.
I agree Mary SF…and this is just the beginning…From the past several years, I think we need a little down time for the holidays then after the first of the year I know that things will heat up.
Amen Mary you said it so well.
Well said! I watched my DVDs of ATWT Xmas episodes and was struck how daytime dramas, inc Y&R, really made the most of the holiday and their characters to tell stories. Y&R has launched a strong reboot and I am amazed how the new writers are able to move us past the train wreck of tales we have endured in the last decade. I am excited for 2017.
Couldn’t have said it better, 2me it’s a snoozeeeee….
I agree with all the positive comments about the new direction Y&R is taking. It feels like going home and right now Y&R is reminding me a little bit of OLTL and that is a good thing.
My only quibble is I think the character of Faith is a petulant, spoiled little brat. For the love of all that is Holy, can someone please stand up to Rhoda, er, I mean Faith, and tell her that she will live where her parents tell her to live.
She ditches poor Dylan and Sharon on Christmas and you see her gleefully being spoiled by her grandparents during Christmas. She never once stops to worry about her mother and Dylan who have not only lost Sully, they’ve lost her too.
Footnote: MY Rhoda joke alludes to an old movie called “The Bad Seed.” Rhoda was the name of the evil little girl.
Other than a few cool flashbacks and some nice nods to history, Sally’s first three weeks have been very boring and slow paced episodes, and so far her writing style doesn’t look like there will be much riveting compelling drama in 2017. Y&R has literally nothing interesting on the horizon going into Feb sweeps, since Sally says we don’t need Adam back and therefore the Chloe reveal is being shelved, and her first three weeks in Dec and her preview for the month of Jan wasn’t and doesn’t sound like entertaining soap.
Sally’s idea of exciting reveals and worthy cliffhangers are the following….
Mariah tripping and falling on live television, Summer’s birthday party at the underground, Phyllis dying her hair blond, Faith running away, Victoria and Billy breaking inventory while giggling like idiots, and Devon and Hillary moving to a penthouse.
Where is the drama? Where is the buildup to something? Not the most entertaining headwriter .
Pratt was never boring and had improved under Mal’s watch.
On Faith, I agree with you Addison. I think she’s acting out like a spoiled brat. I’m also fed up with Nick. As some may think what he did was a kind jester, I think was mean. He walks into the house lets Dylan hold the baby then all goes back to the way it was. I can’t wait until Nick (the other spoiled brat) finds out Christian isn’t his. Nick darn well knows that Nikki & Victor treat her like rubbish so she won’t get to see Faith much but he stands there and does nothing because he can go over whenever he wants too. Faith needs to be told she’s going on the schedule they made up PERIOD. Victor & Nikki need to respect what the parents say and butt out and Faith needs to learn how lucky she is to have parents who love her. A lot of kids only wish to have a family to go home to. JMO
Meant to say Nick knows Victor & Nikki treat Sharon like rubbish.
Yes, Miss Nikki, and yet they referred to Nick acting like a human being for one split second as a “Christmas Miracle.”
Okay, I guess I do have some complaints about Y&R.
you will probably be waiting a long time for the reveal of christian’s biological father because the new head writer already said it will not be revealed for a good while if ever……………..
Nikki…BOTH EXACTLY AND THANK YOU!!!!! At this point, Nick is nothing but A SELF-RIGHTEOUS MORON!!!!! Watching that BUFFOON Nick is like watching Victor #2 (or whatever)!!!!! Beyond ick.
Later, Nikki.
I wasn’t expecting this from Nick it really shows what kind of man he really is.
Loved that Nick let Dylan and Sharon see baby Christian brought tears to my eyes.
Nick your such a sweetheart to take Christian to see Sharron and Dillon you didn’t have to.
He is a absolute flaming a hole
LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT SALLYS GOING TO DO WITH SHARON .AFTER THE CRAP SHES BEEN THROUGH THE PAST YEARS.
Y&R is nap time. The 80’s were great…in the 80’s. This is an entirely different century and rehashed 30 year old plots acted by actors doing the same things thirty years later has no appeal except for those who’ve been around long enough to be nostalgic. Pratt WAS bad. I’ve seen nothing so far to suggest soapy Sally is any better. Most of Sussman’s favorite characters have been totally trashed and having them sit around looking regretful doesn’t change that. It will take real skill and smart, 21st century story-telling to fix this mess for the present. The future should not ever be a dusted off rerun of the past IF relevance is the goal and the key demo matters. Sorry Sally. Fuzzy wuzzy memory lane is coma inducing. Even Days is much more interesting. Get out of the time machine and join us for 2017. Otherwise, NEXT!!