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B&B's Brad Bell on Emmy noms, Stephen and Pam's tryst and more!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Daytime Emmy nominee for both Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series, the head honcho of The Bold and the Beautiful, Brad Bell. Yesterday, Brad and his team were honored by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Popular TV Soap in the World.
We asked Brad about his choice of submitting Ann’s death, the resurgence of Betty White, why the decision to have Pam sleep with Stephen, and what’s next. Here are some excerpts:
Bell on what B&B submitted to garner them the Emmy nod for show and writing and why: “We submitted for Drama Series, the Betty White die with dignity story. We were thrilled with the performances, and they were our favorite episodes of the year. It included a location shoot, an issue, great humor, and a brave heartbeat. So it felt like we had all the right ingredients. For us these really stood out. In the years past, we would have difficulty choosing, but these were some of my favorite episodes of the whole series of all-time.”
Even though Bell is the head writer, how much was he involved in the actual day to day of the heralded story ,and series of episodes: ” I was very involved in the creation of the scenes, and the dialog, and the editing. But, certainly it’s a group effort with the writing team comprised of Kay Alden and Patrick Mulcahey and Michael Minnis. Our team pulled all together on this one, and they all really shined.”
Bell on the Betty White success story in 2010: “I think it’s wonderful! In soap opera, we have found actors throughout who are brilliant and who have “it”, and so many of them are not being recognized. We have had the wonderful chance to employ some of these great actors, and Betty White is a standout. She can do comedy, and drama. Who knew? She is a wonderful human being, and I am happy she is having this remarkable and unprecedented resurgence.”
Bell on if it were to be two in a row for B&B, and they were to win Drama Series, what would he do if he was unceremoniously cut off during his acceptance speech again, a la the American Airlines promo, that was seen instead of his speech on last year’s telecast! “We joke that we are not flying American Airlines to Vegas either!”
Bell on the honor by Guinness Book of World Records: “It’s very exciting, and we didn’t really know, but they have a wonderful comprehensive entertainment section in the Guinness Book of World Records, and we have really stood out with our numbers and viewership around the world. We are definitely and by far, the most popular soap or telenovela in the world. And, it’s wonderful to have this acknowledgment especially when soaps are being canceled, and not having much good news these days. We had the Emmy nominees last week, the Guinness Book of World this week, and I can’t wait for next week! ” (Laughs)
Bell on the big sex scandal when poor crazy Pam gets deflowered by Stephen Logan as part of his revenge sex plot to destroy Stephanie! “I think it goes back to the core battle between the Logans and the Forresters. I think at this point in time it’s never been more interesting. We have a great group of actors: Patrick Duffy (Stephen), Alley Mills (Pam), Susan Flannery (Stephanie) battling against each other, and the Logan sisters are hot, and ready for action…. Always! I think this a man who is still mourning the love of his life, Beth Logan. Yes, he is rebounding from that, and this is a darker time. He is having very dark thoughts, and in his mind, because of Stephanie. She had emotionally and physically abused his daughters over these years, and he has done nothing about it. This is a man at a breaking point who has to do something, and believes he has come up with the perfect crime, and the perfect redemption. ”
Bell on if this will be a quickie B&B story beat or have some major fallout: “Yes, this is a story with some legs. Its going to be fun, action-packed, and with some very dark moments, and some unexpected twists as well.”
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RATINGS: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Catches Fire; Up Over a Half Million Viewers Since Last Year, Inching Closer to ‘The Young and the Restless’ for #1 Slot
The race for the number one show on CBS daytime and overall across all broadcast networks became more intriguing after the latest ratings for the week of June 29-July 3 were released.
According to Soap Opera Network, The Bold and the Beautiful while adding +49,000 total viewers for the week is actually up over +566,000 in comparison to last year at this time. That is over a half million viewers. Additionally, B&B was once clocked in with over 3 million viewers for the week at 3,010,000 tuning in. The week marked its second largest viewership of the current TV season.
In comparison, The Young and the Restless which consistently holds at number #1 came in at 3,217,000 with a net gain of +32,000 and also up + 300,000 from 2025 at this time. This makes 23 weeks in a row that the soap has come in with over 3 million tuning-in.
However, there is now only 200,000 plus lead by Y&R shortening the gap between the two soaps. Additionally, The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped the key demo of women 18-49 besting The Young and the Restless with a 0.22 ratings share of the audience compared to 0.20 share.
Courtesy/CBS
HOPE AND BROOKE’S MOTHER/DAUGHTER SHOWDOWN
On The Bold and the Beautiful, the ratings week featured the fallout of Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) being revealed as the new creative director and lead designer of Logan.
Hope’s decision to keep it a secret from her mother, Brooke Logan Forrester (Katherine Kelly Lang) then showcased major confrontations and showdowns between Brooke and her sister, Katie (Heather Tom), and then Brooke and her daughter, Hope, which ultimately left viewers on the Friday, July 3 cliffhanger with Hope passing out in anguish over betraying her mother.
Photo: JPI
PATTY MAKES HER DEADLY MOVE AGAINST JACK
Over at The Young and the Restless, the week featured the aftermath of Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) surgery to save her eyesight, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) being stabbed by a vengeful Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk), Kyle (Michael Mealor) rushing to save his mother, Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters), and Billy (Jason Thompson) and Jill (Lauren Koslow filling-in for Jess Walton) trying to settle old grievances.
As for General Hospital, the ABC soap opera came in with just under 2 million viewers adding +27,000 for the week and up +140,000 at this time. Meanwhile, Beyond the Gates had a week of repeats, so it was down to 1,354,000 total viewers but still up +282,000 from last year.
*ratings are derived from Nielsen’s Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel viewing and DVR playback.
So, what do you think of the ratings performance of The Bold and the Beautiful? Was it one of their best week’s in a long time on-screen? Do you think they will soon be able to top The Young and the Restless as number #1 in total viewers, or do you think Y&R will continue to remain the kingpin for some time to come? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Tamara Tunie Shares Bittersweet Moment of Learning She’s a Daytime Emmy Nominee Following the Loss of ATWT’s Scott Bryce
As many are celebrating their nominations for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30, for some it was a “mixed bag of emotions,” as detailed by first time nominee Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates), who was named as one of the five women in the coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress category.
The Lead Actress nominations were actually announced on Monday on Entertainment Tonight, ahead of the full nomination announcement by NATAS on Tuesday. Sadly, on Sunday night, Tamara’s longtime friend, and former As the World Turns co-stars, Scott Bryce (ex-Craig Montgomery) passed away from cancer at 68-years-old.
Michael Fairman TV first reported the heartbreaking news of Scott’s death, and his beloved son, Jackson took to his Instagram to announce the death of his father, sharing, “What began as stage three esophageal cancer eventually spread and became brain tumors that took his life away from him.”
Photo: JPI
THE LOSS OF ‘AS THE WORLD TURNS’ CO-STAR
Tamara spoke on receiving the recognition from peers while mourning the loss and trying to process the news of Bryce’s death via heartfelt message on her Instagram on Wednesday. Tunie had appeared on As the World Turns as Jessica Griffin from 1986-1995, 1999-2007 and 2009. She crossed paths with Bryce during several of his runs on the show 1982-1987, 1988-89, 1990, 1993-94 and 2007-08.
In her video message, Tunie explained she was at the airport in Atlanta (where Beyond the Gates is taped) and was heading to Pittsburgh for a speaking engagement, but she took a few moments to address these two moments in her life.
Tamara began her video with, “Hey family. I didn’t want to let any more time go by without expressing some of the emotions I had been feeling over the past couple of days. Many of you know that a dear friend of mine passed Sunday night. He was like a brother to me. We were friends for 40 something years and we actually met on the set of As the World Turns, a daytime drama. Monday, a mere 24 hours later, it was announced that I was nominated for an Emmy award for Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama.”
Sharing how the loss of Scott Bryce has deeply-affected her, Tamara added, “So, you can only imagine the rollercoaster of emotions that I have been feeling since Sunday night. I know my daytime soap opera brother is smiling down on me and cheering me on, and I am so grateful for this recognition from my peers. Being nominated for the first time it’s a mixed bag of feelings I have to tell you.”
Photo: CBS
BEYOND THE GATES FAMILY SCORES BIG IN EMMY NOMINATIONS
However, Tamara took some moments to recognize Beyond the Gates Emmy nomination haul, expressing, “I’m looking forward to the next couple of months leading up to the awards as we continue to create great television. I am so proud of the rest of my cast members, not only those who are nominated, but every single person who works on this show and gives a hundred percent of themselves every single time they show up. Our crew, our production staff, the Beyond the Gates family is truly special.”
“To have these 15 nominations is really extraordinary. Thank you family for watching. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for supporting me,” concluded Tunie.
You can check out Tamara’s emotional video message below.
Now, let us know, are you happy to see Tamara receiving the first Daytime Emmy nomination of her career for her role as Anita on Beyond the Gates? Do you remember when Tamara and Scott Bryce both appeared on As the World Turns? Share your thoughts on Tamara’s heartbreaking words on his passing via the comment section.
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There’s another new face in Port Charles, when on today’s Wednesday, July 15 on General Hospital, Grady Eldridge made his debut as Simon, a new music executive, who is scouting talent for his record label.
According to Soap Opera Digest, Eldridge is on recurring status with the ABC soap opera, and in story, Simon is the A&R rep responsible for signing music acts and he enters the scene as Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) sets up a musical showcase for Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) who accompanies her on guitar. As the showcase kicks off, Simon arrives.
While his GH role marks his first on daytime, Grady can currently be seen in the final season of HBO’s comedy hit, Hacks. He has numerous credits in primetime including: Doctor Odyssey, The Sex Lives of College Girls and appeared as Max in the recently released in Jennifer Lopez’s movie office romance.
Eldridge joins several other newcomers have joined the ABC soap including: Dean Geyer as Dr. Tristan Roberts (who first showed up on Monday’s July 13 episode), and Troy Lennon Appel as mysterious businessman, Hudson who shows up later this month.
In addition, GH fans will get the chance to see Kayden Brenna Tokarski who takes over the role of Scout Cain, and Kelly Kruger (ex-Mackenzie Browning, The Young and the Restless) who is the recast Serena Baldwin, who debuts on July 30.
So, do you hope Simon sticks around Port Charles? Do you think Trina and Gio will become a major recording act, or will trouble be brewing with this new music executive, and Brook Lynn will spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e? Let us know your thoughts and impressions after checking out Grady on today’s GH via the comment section.
RATINGS: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Catches Fire; Up Over a Half Million Viewers Since Last Year, Inching Closer to ‘The Young and the Restless’ for #1 Slot
‘Beyond the Gates’ and NAACP Partner for Contest to Give Winning Viewer a Guest Spot on the 15-time Daytime Emmy Nominated Soap
‘Beyond the Gates’ Tamara Tunie Shares Bittersweet Moment of Learning She’s a Daytime Emmy Nominee Following the Loss of ATWT’s Scott Bryce
‘General Hospital’s’ Amanda Setton Talks Her Reaction, Scenes, and Co-Stars After Becoming a Daytime Emmy Nominee for the First Time (Exclusive)
Grady Eldridge Makes His ‘General Hospital’ Debut as Music Executive Simon
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Amanda Setton Talks Her Reaction, Scenes, and Co-Stars After Becoming a Daytime Emmy Nominee for the First Time (Exclusive)
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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As The World Turns5 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
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Breaking News7 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
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Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
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General Hospital7 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
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Beyond the Gates5 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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Beyond the Gates3 days ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
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General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
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General Hospital1 week agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
They should not have won for that maudlin ep w/ Storm’s suicide. Its repercussions, as expected of brad bell, are never utilized. Katie’s heart surgery scar has disappeared, and no one even mentions Storm’s death, even when Steph had a part in Beth’s death. The sad part is Brad bell actually thinks the guiness record equals a reflection of quality on B&B, which it doesn’t. B&B hasn’t been any good since Taylor/Rick thanks in no part to hammy, over enunciating Lowder, and thanks only to Tylo and KKL. B&B is like McDonald’s. LOL! B&B is a global brand. McDonald’s is omnipresent. It doesn’t mean B&B is a quality show or McDonald’s serves good food. They just happen to be everywhere. No one can deny B&B’s global ratings. But it doesn’t mean it’s a good show. It used to be good, but it’s been crappy for years.
LOL on Brad bell’s quote: “He is having very dark thoughts, and in his mind, because of Stephanie.” Where would Stephen have thoughts other than his mind? Hahahahahaha! Bell says the same things abt his storylines. It’s going to have a lasting impact/repercussions/etc. But the only thing consistent abt B&B is that its history is always rewritten. So nothing really makes an impact and everything is plot driven.
Instead of killing off Storm, Brooke should have been the shooter. She could have gone bonkers after the rape and Brooke has a history of mental instability. It would have been more dramatic, and the show needs male Logans to balance all the women. Storm would have been a good pairing w/ Felicia, and Devry is a decent actor (except when Storm was revealed as the shooter). All killing off Storm did was give Katie a heart transplant, yet Heather Tom didn’t garner an Emmy nom, Katie lost her baby w/ Nick and her scar is never an issue.
A storyline for Mills is great. Pam needs to drive more storylines. Maybe Pam ends up going bonkers and kills Rick! Fire Kyle Lowder! he’s an awful actor. Stephen’s revenge storyline has potential, but the real revenge storyline should be from Brooke. She needs to go nuts and try to kill Stephanie for her role in Storm’s suicide and Beth’s death and brooke’s rape. However, that ain’t happening since Bell writes Brooke in such a boring way. Brooke needs to get into a catfight w/ and win in that catfight against Amber and Tawney. Bell needs to rehire Andrea Evans as trashy Tawney. And once ATWT wraps up, Lesli Kay’s Felicia should return, along w/ John Hensely as Zach Hamilton, Felicia’s ex and let it be revealed that he’s Felicia’s donor.
I think Brad Bell and his writers are very smart in creating B&B and its stories.This one of Pam and Stephen is a hoot. She literally is getting hers after all the viscious things she has pulled and got away with.. I am not so hapy with the Bridget and Owen story. I would like to see Nick realize what the heck is going on behind his back. And yes, the Betty White death scene was done extremely well.She’s a comer……
They never should have killed off Betty White’s character doe, but then it’s odd for her to portray SF’s mother and Moss’s grandmother since Moss is in his 60s. How hilarious for Brad bell to label that storyline the “Betty White die w/ dignity story” LOL! Such a ridiculous label!
Everyone hates that Bridget/HOwen/Jackie/Nick storyline. It’s 1 soap cliche after the next. It began w/ Bridget and Nick having 1 of their babies die yet again, then Bridget has grief sex w/ slutty HOwen, then they had a who’s the daddy arc, now the 3 whores Jackie, HOwen and Bridget are lying to skanky Nick. B&B has done this kind of storyline so many times. And the most hilarious part is that Bridget couldn’t have any babies. She has a surrogate, and now that she’s older, she gets preggers! LOL!
Pam’s upcoming storyline is the only good part of B&B. The more Pam, the better!