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B&B's Brad Bell Interview: How he sustains the soap after 25 years, a preview & loving tributes to his dad and wife!
Photo Credit: CBS
Today is the silver anniversary of the hit CBS soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. And to mark the occasion, we spoke with the series head honcho, the executive producer and head writer of the three-time Daytime Emmy Award winning Outstanding Drama Series, Brad Bell.
From a loving tribute to his father, Bill Bell Sr, to beautiful thoughts about his wife, Colleen, to the difficulties in writing a show while facing challenging decisions in letting cast members go, and the importance of infusing the show with new life, all were integral aspects of our chat. Brad also previews more on Hope’s pill-popping storyline, and gives us a preview for spring. So raise your glass to B&B today, 25 years on television is no small feat, my friends, and certainly not in the climate we live in!
Brad, you have to pinch yourself! It’s now officially 25 years of B&B! Big question, is it as exciting as having President Obama and the First Lady at your house a few weeks ago for the incredible fundraiser that you and your wife, Colleen, put together?
BRAD: It’s beyond my wildest dreams for B&B to around this long. The fundraiser was amazing and it was so cool. The adrenaline was pumping, and the Foo Fighters were playing, and President Obama was so cordial, charismatic, intelligent and interesting. It was a special night. But I have to say, this is equally as special, because I put my heart and soul into this for 25 years. It does feel like I finished a marathon.
Your dad, the legendary Bill Bell Sr. started B&B, along with your mother, Lee Phillip Bell. You must think of him often, and perhaps send a special prayer out to him, especially at this 25 year milestone?
Courtesy/CBS
BRAD: Yeah, I know. I have moments with him now and then. When I am writing the show I think of what he might do, given the next twist and turn. The longer he has been gone, the more I feel I am losing touch with what he would have done, but I still know. My dad was so interesting and unpredictable. Above all, he had zero tolerance for boring shows. I think you can be anything, but don’t be boring!
Now on B&B, you are tackling Hope’s (Kim Matula) pill-popping, and the telling of this tale about how prescription drugs runs rampant in our society these days, and how it can destroy people lives. What inspired the decision to tell this story and have the vehicle be Hope?
BRAD: I think it was two things. First, it’s very topical right now because of Whitney Houston’s sudden death, and just so many kids are having issues with drugs. And as my kids get older, it’s interesting to hear the stories of their friends, and hear what everyone is going through. It gives me a fabulous inner spark that you need as a writer. It’s topical and a fresh story that is appropriate for young people, and yes, I know what Kim Matula is capable of. She has been our sweet and conservative, preppy princess for awhile. Now, I want her to be my pill-popping princess, who is going to be able to show us her range as an actress. And, I can tell you, Kim has great range.
© Gilles Toucas
The good and bad of having a half hour show is that you have to clear the deck to make way for new characters and story, when there is not as much airtime. So did that play into your decision to take Jack Wagner (Nick), Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie) and Brandon Beemer (Owen) off-contract?
BRAD: We have 19 minutes of airtime, and with Lesley-Anne and Jack and Brandon, they are three great actors. I was very well aware that I was not giving them the quality of material that they need and deserve. So it is much out of respect to them that I leave them open to other options, better options, than being around and being the background at The Bold and the Beautiful. This is a great place to be working at, but it’s frustrating for talented actors to just chime in a couple times a month. I am so glad that Jack is doing Dancing with the Stars! I actually think it’s very cool!
You must at times think with your four original core characters … Ridge, Brooke, Stephanie and Eric, “What can I do now with them after all the drama of the last 25 years?” Does that cross your mind?
BRAD: Daily! It’s daily! (Laughs) It’s amazing. It’s a blessing and a curse of writing for people and characters for so long. At times, you feel like you have told every story under the sun with these people, and yet as we bring in new actors, new characters, and their roles change. It’s also necessary to bring new characters to re-infuse the people that have been here a long time, that may have grown stale, and they need that infusion of someone new to the canvas.
What can we look forward to with the upcoming 25th anniversary episode?
Photo Credit: Kathie Hutchins
BRAD: Stephanie and Eric are remarried and they are celebrating their anniversary. And at the end of the show, we will be able to say, “Happy Anniversary!” Yes, we are saying it to Stephanie and Eric, but we are also saying it to the fans, to us, and everyone in the know. March 23rd is our official anniversary, but because we were pre-empted one day when the President was speaking, the show will now air on Monday, the 26th! He bumped the show, and we had a fundraiser for him! (Laughs) I’m completely kidding, but it is a great episode that any fan of B&B will thoroughly enjoy. It is a fabulous, fabulous episode. And this is always a lesson to me. When I throw plot away and just get our core actors to speak fondly and lovingly of each other, it’s touching and beautiful and those are very often are most wonderful episodes … when there is no plot. They are all just being themselves and loving each other.
What can you preview for spring on B&B?
BRAD: We know that Steffy is working to hold to her marriage, and in six months in the state of California the divorce is final, and then Liam is willing and able to move on. So early this summer, this will elapse and Liam will have to have a path with one of these two women. We know we have Taylor in favor of her daughter, Brooke in favor of her daughter, Ridge caught in the middle, and Stephanie rooting for her namesake. The story just gets better and better and encompasses the whole cast. I can tell you it’s all going to come to a great peak this summer in Italy!
You made a beautiful speech at the cake-cutting ceremony at CBS in honor of B&B’s 25 years on the network. And the one thing, that I thought was so endearing, was how you spoke of your wife, Colleen, and how without her love and support and encouragement, you would not be here today.
Photo Credit: Kathie Hutchins
BRAD: Colleen is a very special woman. I met her when she was 14 years old. We both went our own separate ways, and now we are back together for 20 years of marriage and four children. I think it’s important to acknowledge because this job is so consuming and what we do here. It does not affect the person who is writing it or a person working on it, but it’s the families, the kids, the husbands, the wives, the partners, they deserve a big shout out!
Colleen is also your Director of Special Projects for the show and has tweaked the fashion elements of the series, and stepped it up a notch, or three!
BRAD: She has brought such ‘street cred’ to us in the world of fashion, and we are going to be in Vanity Fair in Italy. We have been using Monique Lhuillier gowns, and where we were in the past was we were designing our gowns, and at times, not sure what we were doing. People in Italy were saying, “Are we supposed to take these fashions seriously?” Now they do take them seriously. Colleen is doing a tremendous job.
Finally, what did you think when you read the reports that ABC is producing a primetime soap opera pilot called, Americana, centered around the fashion industry? All I can say is, “hmmm.”
BRAD: Well, I think its sounds very familiar. I wish them well and I wish all of these new soap operas platforms well. But in essence, they are all us. And, we will continue doing what we do. I have not read that much about Americana. They probably want to sell it s a brand new soap, but let me tell you, imitation is the best form of flattery.
So soapers, how do you feel about Brad’s thoughts? How about we show the soap some love, and put some congrats on the posts today? Just a suggestion.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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Congratulations are in order for Jen Jacob (Ashley Morgan, Beyond the Gates) and her husband, musician Jesse Ruben. The two will be welcoming their first baby girl to their growing family in March of 2027 after Jacob that she is pregnant!
Jen took to her Instagram account and shared sonogram images of the couple’s little bundle of joy growing inside of her. She captioned the montage of images, “Mom & Dad have entered the chat. Baby girl coming March 2027 🩷” The post is set to the music of Thurston Harris’ “Little Bitty Pretty One.”
This marks the first child for the duo who have been married for the last 8 years and recently celebrated their wedding anniversary just last week on October 7.
Photo: JjacobIG
Ruben wrote on the occasion, “Eight years ago today, I got to marry my favorite person. Jen Jaccob, hank you for saying yes, and being the best, most patient and kind and loving partner. How lucky am I, to get to do life with you. I love doing life with you.”
BEYOND THE GATES CAST OVERJOYED
Upon the news, several of Jen’s Beyond the Gates costars were on the ready and jumped in the post comment thread including: Daytime Emmy nominee Arielle Prepetit (Naomi).“I’m gonna be an auntieeeee!! Yasss!♥️” That was followed by RhonniRoseMantilla (Chelsea), who aded, “YAYYYYY BTG BABY BTG BABYYYY💕💕💕”
Daytime Emmy nominee, Karla Mosley (Dani) wrote, “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love love LOVE – there aren’t enough hearts in the world.” Meanwhile, Daphnee Duplaix (Nicole) added, “Can’t wait for our newest family member!!!!” Lauren Buglioli (Vanessa) expressed: “EEEEEE!!! Aunt Lauren loves you baby girllll”
Photo: CBS
WILL THE CBS SOAP OPERA FOLLOW SUIT AND MAKE ASHLEY PREGNANT?
Meanwhile on CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates, Ashley still remains unlucky in love. Her ex-boyfriend, Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin) died, she had initially split with suitor Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso) after the The Impaler blood plasma reveal, but now seems back together with him. Previously, Ashley had a flirtation with Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman), which could still come back around in the future.
No word yet if Ashley will become pregnant on-screen during the time of Jen’s pregnancy or if she will be hiding behind the nurses station desk to cover her baby bump at Garland Memorial Hospital.
Share your congrats to Jen and Ben on the announcement of their baby on the way via the comment section, and let us know if you think Beyond the Gates should or will, write Jen’s pregnancy into the story for Ashley?
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News
B&B’s Dual Emmy-Nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor on Black Representation in the Soaps, ‘Our Voices Are Being Heard. I Want to Make Sure That Continues’
When Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton, The Bold and the Beautiful) was announced to be nominated this year at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for not only Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series, but also as part of the nominated Writing Team from the CBS soap, it was a big moment in his life and his career.
As many know, Saint-Victor has been a veteran of soap opera since back in his early days as Remy on the now defunct Guiding Light. Fast-forward to some 17 years later since the conclusion of GL, and Lawrence is nominated in a year that is a breakthrough for Black performers and creatives behind the scenes in the soaps, which for decades was never the case in daytime television.
With the advent and launch in 2025 of the first Black-led hour-long daytime drama, Beyond the Gates locking down 15 nominations going into Emmy night on October 30 and a host of other writing and acting nominees, the tide seems to have shifted. It’s something Saint-Victor hopes will continue for years to come.
Photo: JPI
THE TIDE HAS TURNED
Speaking with Ebony, Lawrence shared on his dual nominations, “I’ve sat with those thoughts and feelings for some time, thinking about what these nominations mean to me, especially as the first Black man in daytime to be nominated for acting and writing in the same year.”
Saint-Victor is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor alongside: Sean Dominic (Nate, Y&R), Mike Manning (Smitty, BTG), Michael Graziadei (Daniel, Y&R), Roger Howarth (Matt, Y&R), Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill, BTG).
On his journey in soaps, Lawrence explained, “So many Black men and women, both in front of and behind the camera, pushed the door open and kept pushing so that I could walk through. They fought to be seen, heard, and given an opportunity. I don’t take for granted that I get to stand on the other side of those doors now. And I believe it’s my responsibility — as well as the responsibility of my brothers and sisters in this industry — to keep pushing. That feels especially important to me as a writer.”
MORE WORK TO DO FOR INCLUSIVENESS
Lawrence added, “Representation can’t exist only in front of the camera. Our perspective and our experiences need to be present in the work too. Our experiences are not one thing. Black people are not one thing. We are romantic. We are funny. We are angry. We are heroic. We are flawed. We are sexy. We are vulnerable. We are complicated. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have also come so far.”
Win or lose, Lawrence believes this will be a moment for inclusiveness, celebration, and to inspire: “The fruit of the fight to be heard is coming to harvest. I am a leading man in a leading story on my show, and I’m also a writer on that very show AND I stand on the shoulders of giants. Our voices are being heard. I want to make sure that continues.”
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmys will be streamed on the official Emmys You Tube Channel as well as streamed on the official website The Emmys via watch.theemmys.tv.
So, have you been thrilled to see how the door has opened for Black representation in front of the camera and behind the scenes at your favorite daytime soaps? What do you think about Lawrence’s dual nominations heading into Emmy night? Share your thoughts on the state of the soaps via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Confronts Katie On Her Vendetta Against Her and Claims, ‘It Breaks My Heart’
Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco Welcome Baby Girl, Philomena into the World
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Guillermo Goes Home
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Trina Reminisces About Spencer, Soon After Roses and a Note from Her ‘Biggest Fan’ Arrive
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Zende Quits Forrester Creations in Another Standout Performance by Delon de Metz
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Delon de Metz Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Netflix Canada to Stream Past Episodes of ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
‘Beyond the Gates’ Fall Preview: Michele Val Jean Reveals Twists and Turns in Fairmont Crest, Teases New Faces
‘General Hospital’s’ Hudson West Wins Big as Contestant on ‘The Price is Right’
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Guillermo Goes Home
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Trina Reminisces About Spencer, Soon After Roses and a Note from Her ‘Biggest Fan’ Arrive
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Zende Quits Forrester Creations in Another Standout Performance by Delon de Metz
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Matt Clark Reveals Himself, ‘Clearly, Hero Time Is Over’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: ‘From Your Biggest Fan’
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Congrats to B&B!!! Even though I do not watch it much anymore I still want the remaining soaps to stay on!
I miss Jackie and Owen and Jack and Felicia and Thorne and Bridget. I get there is only 19 mins of airtime a day, but does it all 95 minutes have to revolve around Hope and Liam and Steffy? Even when they’re not actually on-screen, the other characters are rehashing the story and their probs. Even the secretaries at Forester knew about Hope and Liam’s ‘special’ night!!!!! Enough already! Give us balance and good story and good, interesting characters with drama and humor. I’d like to see Amber and Rick get back together. This Rick romancing Steffy just doesn’t work. It’s laughable.
I have been an avid fan of the show for many years, but not until the story about Bill and Steffy have I been excited to watch. It was a wonderful love match…passionate, exciting, dramatic. Disappointingly, this storyline has been put on the back-burner, and I can’t understand why? There are a multitude of STILL fans who support this show, and we are waiting for something to happen between Bill and Steffy again. The current storyline does not make sense… please reunite STILL and bring back the excitement and drama that they bring to the show. You will make a LOT of fans happy!
Congratulations to Brad Bell, Lee Phillip Bell, Colleen Bell and the entire Bell family, the B&B cast and crew. I love B&B!!!
The Liam/Hope drama is just too long, please end this senseless drama with them and go back to the basics of a haute couture designer firm and show us some wow designs and the drama it takes to produce these designs. I love JMW and I believe she is the draw for your soap right now. The Bridge/Tridge is just too passe.
Get ready the twentysomethings is going to be all he writes for / Liam/Seffy/Hope and the new three Thomas/Caroline/Rick. Taylor and Thorne will be seen two days this week and are engaged and that is the last you will see of them for a long while he has decided to put all his eggs in one basket. Google Lynda Hirsch she is out of Cleveland,Ohio and been commenting on the soaps for years/and read her take on B&B. How good it use to be and how she feels it has really gone down hill.