News
ATWT Favorite Colleen Zenk on Being Cast as Y&R’s Aunt Jordan: “Josh (Griffith) Was Around During the Evil Barbara Days So He Knew What I Was Capable Of”
Last Friday, the soap universe was more than thrilled to see none other than As the World Turns long-running star, Colleen Zenk (ex-Barbara Ryan),now playing the evil Aunt Jordan on The Young and the Restless.
In story, it was revealed that Aunt Jordan appears to be pulling the strings to get Claire (Hayley Erin) to help her do her bidding in the revenge plot against Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and the Newman clan.
It has been a minute since Zenk appeared on a daytime soap opera after the heartbreaking cancellation of As the World Turns which aired its final episode back in September of 2010. In the series finale, Barbara reunited with Henry Coleman (Trent Dawon) and it looked like she found love again as we faded the action in Oakdale.
Photo: JPI
Now in 2023, Zenk’s arrival in Genoa City was a major surprised and kept well under wraps by the CBS soap opera. In an interview with Soap Opera Digest in which she talked on being cast as Aunt Jordan, Colleen shared that Y&R’s executive producer and head writer, Josh Griffith, was very well-versed on her work, as he had written for her a few times when he was at ATWT.
Colleen expressed: “Josh wrote off and on for ‘World Turns’, so I felt the offer would not have been made to me if he didn’t trust that I could bring to the role what he wanted.” The veteran actress added, “Josh was around during the evil Barbara days so he knew what I was capable.”
Photo: JPI
As far as getting into the skin of nasty Aunt Jordan, Zenk related: “Jordan is pretty intense. I’ve been playing her for five-and-a-half weeks, so I’ve been finding my way along with her and getting back into a rhythm of working in daytime. I think the writers have done such a terrific job in just developing her psyche. I’ve played bad characters in a lot of different theater things as well, so I know how to navigate and make sure that such a character doesn’t come off like a cartoon villain.”
So, are you enjoying seeing Colleen back on daytime and as Y&R’s Aunt Jordan? Comment below.
Hoping this is a meaningful viable character, not just a plot device. I would like a valued respected actor as Ms. Zenk to be allowed a lasting, suspenseful, creative storyline. Some comebacks of late have disappointed or seemed unnecessary. Ms. Zenk will add some much needed life to the story, but only if we have some solid story!
I have a feeling that Jordan is somehow related to Eve Howard, and that Claire is really Cole and Victoria’s presumed-dead daughter. It would make sense since J. Eddie Peck is returning, but that doesn’t explain why Jordan has an axe to grind with the Newman’s, unless she’s secretly someone else and has an entangled past with them.
It’s been 30 years since Eve’s death, and over 40 since the fabulous story where Eve and her fiancee Max tried to kill Victor, and I’ve never forgotten how well done that story was. If Jordan is indeed related to Eve, I hope they do a story that makes since. When Eve came back, she was whitewashed, but Margaret Mason still made her quite commanding.
Well darlin I am glad he can write for you but can’t seem to write for twenty five year vets. Personally I’m all in for the Newmans being destroyed bored with them for years
You probably shouldn’t be watching then if you feel that way. I could never understand how snyobe can criticize but still watch something or people they gate so much. Kind of sadistic if you ask me….darlin.
Would love to see a story where the Newman’s lose everything or at the very least Victor and Nikki. They re sooo sanctimonious and arrogant. It’s boring to see everyone cower in fear over them. The way they treated Nate , Adam , Sally , Kyle etc…
At least when Bill Bell wrote Victor he felt pain and loss etc…but Griffith just writes Victor like God.
I have no idea who this actress is—but, I don’t like her already—but, I truly am looking forward to seeing this storyline unfold—suspenseful!!
Aside; what’s with Victoria’s , Ashley’s and especially Diane’s outfits? They look like priests off to say Thanksgiving’s Mass.
I love Coleen Zenk from ATWT but don’t know if I can enjoy her acting as this mean, vindictive bitch that’s torturing Nicki. I don’t mind her messing with Victor but it just drives me crazy her torturing the whole family. Adam better get his butt there before it’s too late!
Hey, Violet—I had two guesses as to the would-be “savior”—Ian Ward or Adam. Since Adam is missing ; it must be Adam to save them all. Have they really been poisoned?
yes I grew up watching Barbara on as the world turns and I am so glad seeing her on the young and the restless.
I was thrilled when I saw “Barbara Ryan” show up as the evil Aunt Jordan. I loved ASWT and her role in it. Can’t imagine the story behind Jordan and Claire, and the Newman’s.
I so appreciate Iakovos’s comment. I want Nikki to get out of this. Not knowing what a respected actor this woman is, please give us more input before blasting with the storyline. For those who have followed for thirty years, or more, what a treat! This is a Soap, and I guess the rest of us will have to catch up.
Hower, to the producers and writers you are balancing new and long term viewers. I have been an off and on viewer for longer than most. I don’t know what most are talking about.
A very welcome return! Perfect casting here!!! Jordan is like an angrier Barbara. Much much angrier!
This is classic Y & R that actually stacks up to any storyline Bill Bell ever told and that is saying a lot!
Is it campy? Yes! Is it melodramatic? Hell yeah! Is it over the top! YEP! Is it suspenseful? Sure is! Is it pure soap opera? YES!!
This show has been criticized for several years for taking the least dramatic route possible in most storylines.
This one, on the other hand, seemed to come out of nowhere and completely blindsided us! But it is rooted in actual history that we watched on air. It involves all the veterans in a meaningful story. This is a game changer for the Newman’s and for the show and it has been a long time since that has happened!
I am seeing a whole lot of Emmy awards next year! For sure, Ms. Zenk as Guest Performer!!! Perhaps a three peat for Amelia as Victoria. Maybe Melody will finally score an Emmy!
This has been a shocking, bracing story and love it or hate it, it is classic soap opera!
I wish I had a sister as loyal as Jordan, or that Sarah Smythe (Sheila’s sister) from years back! Lol.
No
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News6 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
-
News5 days agoErika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
