News
ABC Unveils New Soapy Primetime Drama OIL For Its Fall Schedule!

Courtesy/ABC
On Tuesday, ABC announced its 2015-16 slate of programming which includes the addition of 10 new series.
Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, unveiled the network’s new lineup to advertisers this afternoon at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. One of the new dramas in the line-up looks to be a primetime soap reminiscent of Dallas, but with a twist entitled OIL. The series stars Don Johnson who makes his return to television as a ruthless oil tycoon in North Dakota. The series tag line: “When you mix oil and money, the results are explosive!”
In the premise of OIL revealed today: “Billy and Cody Lefever dream of a new life beyond their working class roots and move to The Bakken in North Dakota, booming after the biggest oil discovery in American history. They’re soon pitted against a ruthless tycoon who forces them to bet big and put everything on the line, including their marriage.”
Along with Johnson the series stars: Chance Crawford as Billy, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Cody, Delroy Lindo as Tip, Revenge star Amber Valletta (Ex-Lydia Davis) as Carla, Scott Michael Foster as Wick, India de Beaufort as Jules, former Y&R star Yani Gellman (Ex-Rafe) as AJ, and Caitlin Carver as Lacey.
OIL will debut on Sunday’s in the 9PMET slot, following Once Upon A Time! Watch the trailer shown at the Upfront presentation today for OIL! Then let us know what you thoughts of it! Will you be checking it out this fall?
LOL i give it two episodes tops! LOL
Ditto, Mark
Nevermind the fact that I spent nine seasons watching “Dynasty” and 14 seasons watching “Dallas.”
Been there, enjoyed them, don’t wanna do them over again. Obviously ABC does, though.
oh darn….I first thought it was OLTL !!!
So did I when I initially glanced at the headline. That’s the only reason I read the story. Too bad it isn’t. Oh, how I miss our beloved OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!
me too!
I have no interest in prime-time soaps. they’re only on once a week and they seldom last 10 years.
gimme llanview.
by the way, I had a hard time understanding “a twist entitled oil.” I couldn’t understand how a twist was entitled to something or someone. … I think the writer meant TITLED.
Interesting. Like Chance Crawford. Hope it works.
Why didn’t ABC just pick up the damn Dallas reboot to begin with?!
Yes why not pick up Dallas and re-do it better then TNT did.
I loved Dallas. ABC should have picked it up.
Agreed!
CBS aired the original DALLAS, and continues to hold the copyright or whatever rights to any and all characters, including the ones from KNOT’S LANDING. They would never allow ABC, a competitor, to benefit from their intellectual property. The reason TNT was able to air the most recent DALLAS series was because Time-Warner owns the cable channel. CBS & Time-Warner do a lot of business together.
Warner Bros owns the rights to Dallas not CBS anymore, CBS sold the rights years ago.
How ironic the series Dynasty in the 1980’s was suppose to be called Oil but they changed the title and it was on ABC
Also his name is Chace Crawford and we are longtime friends of his grandparents!
Gossip Girl
I’m guessing when the ratings for this come in ABC will wish they’d given REVENGE a fifth season…
SHOULD HAVE LEFT DALLAS ON THE AIR…..SOUNDS LIKE A COPY-CAT THAT WILL NEVER MAKE IT IF DALLAS DIDNT…..
Should have left THE ORIGINAL 1978 to 1991 “Dallas” on the air.
It should have been a staple program like “60 Minutes,” “Saturday Night Live,” etc.
Hmm…Wick, Tip and Billy? :-S
It is absolutely nothing like the outdated Dallas, nothing at all..
People seem to think it a retake on Dallas because it has oil and family, but no way a Dallas anything..
I see the series being a hit !!!
Anyone who would compare it to Dallas, well they are………………………
ND is bursting with men and oil,, ND is the new Texas oil, but not Dallas … lol
wouldn’t be surprised if the Clampetts showed up aha!
I agree Suooo, ND has been the next Texas for the past several years, the next Big Boom
town. Don Johnson is the creative lead behind this “SOAP” 64 and holding strong, handsome
as EVER. Looks like sudsy fun!
I agree with Su. I hope it isn’t all business though. The Dallas reboot on TNT bored me to tears with all the double dealing. I missed meals around the Southfork dining room table.and swiming pool shenanigans. With Empire being such a knock-out, the nighttime soap may just come back.
i will watch at least one episode – trailers are usually deceiving……………..
Also watch ABC series/soap.. The Family..
It is spellbinding, it comes across much more grabbing than Oil ..
I think The Family will do better than OIL..
watch the trailer, you will feel it ..
but-
”both” are sure to be winners!
I willl watch also at least one episode but this trailer looks like this show is boring hot mess.
Sunday night: the graveyard. I’m tired of getting involved in new series which last half, maybe a full, season.
I loved Dallas, wish it was still on, but also like Don Johnson. I will be watching it, sounds like it could be good, Sad however that is on ABC, not my fav anymore.
Cover me with oil, I’m in! I am so happy that Don Johnson is back on TV! He will be great and its good to have another soap of anytime of the day be on a network. Keep them coming! PS: The trailer looks great!
Thank you Timmm, my sentiments exactly. Looks juicy.
I’m done with oil-based soap operas. Don’t want to watch any of them unless I can see John Ross strutting around in a cowboy hat & JR’s belt buckle, arguing with Uncle Bobby and mom, Sue Ellen, at the annual Ewing barbecue.
This one I’ll check out for sure. I have liked most of Don’s work since the beginning.
The Bakken in North Dakota, booming after the biggest oil discovery in American history.
Can’t wait for the episodes featuring deaths from lack ofsafetyy regulations in North Dakota
Because no other industry or occupation ever has any deaths.
That looks pretty good! Don Johnson looks pretty good too! lol
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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