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Are Historic Soap Wedding Bells Going To Ring For B&B's Rick & Maya?

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/CBS

Courtesy/CBS

ThisĀ  week on CBS The Bold and the Beautiful, Rick Forrester (Jacob Young) and Maya Avant (Karla Mosley) get ready to say their “I do’s”, but will one of these two lovebirds instead say, “I don’t?”

As the wedding episodes kick-off on Monday’s August 10th episode, it is historic in that this will be the first time in daytime history that a transgender character (Maya) walks down the aisle to get hitched!

But there are some major stumbling blocks including Maya’s father, Julius (Obba Babatunde’)!Ā  The man, who at first seem to want to put the past behind him and support his daughter (who used to be his son), has seemingly not been on the up-and-up about his feelings and his true intentions.Ā Ā  This sets the stage for the bride to have a showdown with dear old dad.

B&B’s executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell told EW.com on Maya’s journey: ā€œIt’s been an honor to tell this positive story of love and acceptance and now we will see the drama peak as we reach Rick and Maya’s wedding day, which will not be an easy walk down the aisle.Ā  I’m told we’re the first show in television history to include a story with a transgender character getting married and my hope is that in the future there will be many more.ā€

After the jump, watch a clip from Maya’s big wedding day.Ā  Then weigh-in! Will Maya be Mrs. Forrester when all is said and done?

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Bell wants to create another “first” on daytime. His hard sell of the transgender story is obvious and tacky. Bell cannot write a compelling romance.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m afraid that you have been misinformed, Mr. Bell. B&B is most definitely NOT “the first show in television history to include a story with a transgender character getting married.” British soap, Coronation Street, married its beloved transgender character, Hayley, to cafe owner Roy Cropper many years ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_Cropper

On American soaps this might be a first but Ive already seen a transgender marriage back in the 1990s on Britains Coronation Street and that storyline was better well done!!! Maya isnt the first transgender character: the syndicated ‘All That Glitters’ back in the 1970s featured a transgender character played by pre-Dallas star Linda Grey!!!

Sorry but I do Not want Rick and Maya happy! They don’t deserve it after everything they did and didn’t pay for it! The whole romance with them is so forced

I would have liked to have seen more–I don’t know the word, but more unhappiness with Maya and her lying and her behavior. It seems like everyone is like, oh, she’s transgender so she gets a pass on her bad behavior. Same with Rick. He did a lot of people wrong. Didn’t like Eric sticking up for him so much considering what Rick did (shooting a gun in the workplace, workplace harassment, hazing, etc.). And Brooke was so upset with Maya and now it’s like all is forgiven. There should at least be a little resentment or something between the Forresters and Maya. I know I wouldn’t be so Pollyanna with her!

I hear you, what Rick and Maya did during their power-rush days was despicable. But Caroline also got a huge pass on the crummy things she did to Maya in the beginning to discredit her. And then there’s Bill publishing the transgender expose’, amongst other things he’s done. No one has clean hands here. But as soap operas go, I’m going to give them all the benefit of seeing the errors of their ways…except Bill who never apologizes for anything.

I totally agree with you.

Tell me anybody who is still watching did Bridget even mention her dead niece Ally who is not even cold yet.

Bridget is a joke! Why is she even here? She cares about Rick? Ugh, would have prefered Amber coming to wish Rick and Maya good luck… Of course she could have stayed and decided she wanted Rick back… I think Brooke vs Amber was one of the rare times i enjoyed KKL

And Rick would be able to get it in further to Amber than he will ever be able to with Myron!

I think the acting is amazing but I just don’t like the story. After everything Rick did to Caroline & the way the two of them treated Ali. I would love to know what part of the country this is because those two would never be forgiven especially by Thorne. BTW Where was he during the wedding? And please enough of Brooke sticking her nose in Caroline & Ridge’s life. How does everyone feel about the new Thomas? I actually push mute when he’s on. I can’t stand the way he treats his father.He’s nothing but an ignorant showboy.

its the first transgender for a U.S television series which I think is amazing in its self but total kudos to coronation street for doing it first. I love Raya they have been amazing I love how this whole story has been told & whilst I do find it amusing that some people totally gave Caroline a pass for her part in rick going on his power trip & all the truly nasty things she did to Maya & thats not even bringing in what her uncle did, lets be real about us all being human beings and making mistakes. Anyway these Raya wedding episodes were powerful & so well written & the cast involved have been giving the performances of their lives. Its all just honestly damn good soap love it

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also aĀ  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Antonio SabĆ”to Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio SabĆ”to Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of SabÔto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit ā€œsomethingā€ that ā€œsuddenly appeared in the roadā€ while he was ā€œdoing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, ā€œAt this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, ā€œI also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.ā€

Jack SabƔto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio SabƔto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

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Breaking News

‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

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James Reynolds

Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.

Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ā€˜You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ā€˜What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.ā€ Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.

Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but ā€œextraordinarily helpful and supportive.”

Photo: ET

SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE

Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star JackĆ©e Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.

Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.

As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.

Abe

Photo: JPI

In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, ā€œwhen the time is right.ā€

James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.

You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.

Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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