Connect with us

News

B&B's Brad Bell on Emmy noms, Stephen and Pam's tryst and more!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

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.”

Click to comment

0 Comments
oldest
newest

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!

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Fall Preview: Michele Val Jean Reveals Twists and Turns in Fairmont Crest, Teases New Faces

Published

on

By

Beyond the Gates Preview

Beyond the Gates continues to be the buzzy and noteworthy soap opera as it heads deeper into the fall. With 15 Daytime Emmy nominations (a record for a first-time nominated show), the action on-screen has been just as exciting as of late.

Now, series creator, head writer, and executive producer, Michele Van Jean teases what viewers of the CBS soap opera can look forward to in the months ahead and into 2027 with TV Insider.  Val Jean clarified that the show is already written into April of next year with new faces joining the cast down the line.

Michele shared, “As we go down the journey with The Articulettes, that path is going to lead back to (their manager) Dante Green. So, we’re going to be seeing him eventually. It’s not imminent because we write really far in advance, but you’ll be meeting Dante Green. And then we have a female robbery/homicide cop that’s going to come onto the canvas eventually.”

DANGEROUS, DUPLICITOUS AND DEADLY

While that’s a bit down the line, here’s a few tidbits for a few of the core characters happening soon; starting with the matriarch and the patriarch of the Dupree family, Anita (Tamara Tunie) and Vernon (Clifton Davis). ”

“They’re going to steer their family and community through some troubling times,” explains Michele. Adding, “Anita will get to make exciting moves in her music career as we started to see with The Articulettes, but she’s going to meet with some unexpected obstacles along the way that will test how much she really wants this. Vernon will not be afraid to take serious measures to protect his family and bring down anyone who threatens them.”

Speaking of “serious measures to bring down anyone who threatens the Dupree family,” let’s find out what’s in the future for Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings): “This fall, she will be brilliant, beautiful, and cold as ever. She’s definitely not done scheming, and she’s not done with Bill, I’ll tell you that,” assets Val Jean. “She’s good at making bad situations work in her best interest, and we’ll get to see her do plenty of it.”

Dani and Andre

Photo: CBS

HOW TO SURVIVE A MARRIAGE

As for Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) and Andre Richardson’s (Sean Freeman) marriage, trouble ahead!  Michele explains “She’s (Dani) going to find her marriage and herself in danger and be forced to make some severe decisions. And Andre’s secrets will catch up to him in the worst way possible as Heather closes in to make good on her threats.”

Meanwhile, Dani’s sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) makes inroads with her relationship with Dr. Kial Rollins (Greg Vaughan). However, Val Jean warns by year’s end,”Her (Nicole) world will flip completely upside down in a way no one sees coming, including her.”

Finally, the warring brother sister duo of Joey (Jon Lindstrom) and Heather Armstrong  (Ashley Jones) will get even more intense and fraught. According to Michele, “Joey will wrestle with the reality that his sister is not who she used to be. And as Heather sinks her teeth further into the community, she’ll go to new despicable lengths for chaos and control, but she may not get the last laugh. You’ll have to watch it.”

So, what are you looking forward to the most this fall on Beyond the Gates? What is your favorite storyline right now? When the soap opera casts the character of Dante Green down the line, and a new female cop, who do you think would be a great fit for the roles? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

2026 Daytime Emmys Gold & Silver Circle Inductees: Francesca James, Patrika Darbo and Meredith Vieira Among Those Being Honored

Published

on

By

Daytime Emmy Gold & Silver Inductees

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday, October 8, the 2026 Gold & Silver Circle Inductees who will be celebrated at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30.

This year’s honor roll features industry professionals that have made contributions across daytime television, including daytime dramas, talk shows, comedy, and more.

The Gold inductees include: Meredith Vieira (former c0-host of The View, journalist and EP and CEO, Meredith Vieira Productions),Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy, Days of our Lives and Shirley, The Bold and the Beautiful, soon to be seen reprising her role of Shirley on Y&R), three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Francesca James (ex-Kitty/Kelly, All My Children, and ex-Marcy Wade, One Life to Live, plus director and/or producer at All My Children, General Hospital, Loving, Santa Barbara et al), and finally Byron Allen (Founder, Chairman & CEO Allen Media Group).

It should be noted that Vieira made guest appearances on both All My Children and General Hospital throughout her career. On GH, she played madam Bree Flanders in 2003 and 2012. She also appeared as a wedding planner on All My Children back in 2001.

Photo: NATAS

The Silver inductees are: Stephen Brown (VP Programming and Development, Fox Television Stations)  and Rubin Ervin (Announcer/Warm-Up Host for Family Feud, The Bachelor and more).The Gold and Silver Circle Society Inductees are deemed by NATAS as “exceptional professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively. They represent the best and brightest in the industry.”

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS shared, “This year’s Gold & Silver honorees are recognized for their continued exceptional contributions to our television industry. We are proud to honor a class of honorees from diverse career paths across many daytime genres. Their impact is evident in programming every day, inspiring generations and enriching the lives of countless viewers.”

MORE ON THE 53RD ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMYS

NATAS previously announced that soap opera icon Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s ceremonies.

The 2026 Daytime Emmys will be held at the historic Hollywood Palladium and will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

The annual awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be a single ceremony in 2026, produced by NATAS Productions. Adam Sharp and Lara Gates are executive producers, with Leon Knoles returning to direct for a fifth straight year. Rachel Schwartz serves as Head of Daytime, and the firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP, provides accounting services for the competition.

So, what do you think of this year’s Gold & Silver Inductees? Happy to see some of the names that will be recognized on October 30? Who in the future who has had enduring contributions to daytime television or the soap opera genre, would you like to see receive these honors in years to come? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Star Alison Sweeney in ‘Sami Brady’s Confessions from Italy’

Published

on

By

This week on Days of our Lives, Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti) surprises Sydney DiMera (Sydney Malakeh) when he arrives in Salem, while the woman he loves Sami Brady is over in Italy, Viewers are becoming quite suspicious of Dante, who seemed to be in collusion with Dominic Marino, leading us to try to surmise just what are Dante’s true intentions to coming to Salem? To meet Sami’s family, or so he says?

Meanwhile, Sami Brady has spoken! In a new video that dropped on Wednesday October 7 on the official Days of our Lives Instagram account, Alison Sweeney appears for what is being called as Sami Brady’s Confessions from Italy or Salem Confessionals!

In character, Sweeney talks to camera explaining Sami’s perspective on her engagement to Dante, and how she feels about him coming to Salem without her to meet the Brady clan. Sami says, “This is such a crazy time. I’m engaged, but I’m not ready to be older. It’s just been my reputation in the past. I’ve always been in such a hurry to sort of like, get it done because it hasn’t always worked out. I’m engaged to a wonderful man named Dante. He’s Italian. He’s dreamy and fabulous.  I’m enjoying all of it, like the whole thing. Being engaged, being in love, dating, it’s a new thing for me.”

Dante and Sydney

Photo: Corday Productions

DANTE’S ARRIVAL IN SALEM

Sweeney as Sami continues to explain and rationalize, “Dante, hired my daughter, Sydney, to work for him, which has been amazing. She actually likes him. She’s approved of this relationship, which I’m very happy about.  But I will be honest, I’m a little nervous because my fiancé is going to meet my family in Salem without me. I think that’s a good idea.  I’m nervous because my family, you know, knows a lot about me. But, I have told Dante everything. I mean, okay, not like literally everything, but a lot of. No, not a lot. Some, you know, enough and he doesn’t want to know the rest.”

All in all, it seems like Sami thinks she has found happiness with the guy, but she made be in for rude awakening as she brings up her manipulative past with the loves of Sami’s life. “He’s (Dante) happy and he loves me and I’m not like that anymore, so it’s fine,” explains Sami. “But I’m just saying that things might come up, um, because my family doesn’t forget either.  I’m nervous for them to just like him. I’m nervous for them to be happy for me. I want them to be happy for me, and for us ,and for them to see that this is different for me. I understand why they don’t believe that. I understand why they would be, you know, suspicious of my intentions.”

Alison Sweeney

Photo: Days Peacock IG

IT’S LOVE FOR SAMI

Sami shares she has fallen hard for Dante! “All I can say is I’m in love. It’s amazing. I recommend it.  I really hope that Dante wins over my family, and they can all be happy for me. I do hope to get married sometime and celebrate that with my family. That’s what I want. That’s honestly actually what I’ve always wanted and now I think it’s really gonna happen.”

As previously reported, Alison Sweeney will be back on-screen come June of 2027 on the Peacock streaming soap opera, when Sami returns in story along with Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).

So, what did you think of Sami’s confessions from Italy? Do you think Sami will be duped by Dante? Will their love conquer all, or is Dante even in love with Sami? Stay tuned.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Days of our Lives (@dayspeacock)

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x