News
B&B's Brad Bell on Hope's Upcoming Pill Popping, Jack Wagner's departure and how CBS supports its soaps!

Photo Credit: CBS
This month is The Bold and the Beautiful’s silver anniversary! That’s right the show turns 25- years-old on March 23rd and to begin the month long celebration, TV Guide kicks us off with a refreshing new interview with the man who pulls the all the strings of the number two CBS soap, executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell.
During the chitchat, several things were revealed including how the upcoming story turn for Hope Logan (Kim Matula) will come about …. yes from virgin to pill-popper, the sudden departure of soap icon Jack Wagner from the series, and the difference in the downturn of the soap climate on how a network like CBS handles their programming as opposed to ABC! Here are a few intriguing excerpts below!
Brad on how Hope gets hooked on prescription pills: “Hope is living with Liam, a married man. It’s completely contrary to everything she’s been up on her box espousing. Parents are buying Hope’s clothes for their kids because they want a positive, anti-Kardashian role model. When it’s revealed that she’s living with Liam, they feel they’ve been duped. She’s labeled an adulteress and hypocrite and it becomes a media nightmare. The paparazzi will swarm her and the people who were once her fans turn on her on the various websites. S he’s already been taking anti-anxiety pills — prescribed by a psychiatrist — but the story will take a turn and those pills become detrimental to her well-being. ”
Brad on taking Jack Wagner off-contract with B&B : “It wasn’t an easy decision. It’s no secret I haven’t given him the types of stories that he deserved. He is an incredibly gifted actor, with such range and talent, and he’s also a great gentleman. It’s really best for both of us. Professionally, I’d love for him to remain available to us on a recurring basis. Personally, I wish him nothing but the best and, if that means losing him to GH, then I’ll have to live with that.”
Brad on the support he receives from the CBS Network for his show in a climate where soaps are being canceled left and right: Even in these more difficult times for soaps, the network has been fantastic. Les Moonves and Nina Tassler have been very complimentary and continue to allow me great creative freedom. I can’t imagine a better working relationship with a network. NBC and ABC have made the mistake in their daytime divisions of programming to the bottom line, just putting on cost-effective shows solely to make a profit. CBS puts quality and loyalty first and I have great faith that they will keep us around.”
What do you think of Hope’s new storyline? Wagner being let-go? And, how Bell illustrates how NBC and ABC have treated their soap? Let us know!
News
Y&R’s Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’

In what was one of the most tearjerker of episodes from The Young and the Restless in a long time, last week’s Tuesday, October 20th episode and its aftermath (for the rest of the week), gave viewers several standout moments by two of its leading men, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) and Mark Grossman (Adam Newman).
The story unraveled such that it played into the deep history between Billy and Adam that dates all the way back to when Billy’s daughter Deliah was struck by the car Adam was driving and died. The heart-tugging scenes following Billy and Sally’s (Courtney Hope) wedding, also played into the history of Adam and Sally.
As Y&R fans recall, Sally was carrying Adam’s child when she was rushed to surgery and their baby was stillborn. Fast-forward: When Billy received a gut-wrenching call from Snapper about his mother Jill (Jess Walton) having a heart attack in London during his wedding reception, he was beside himself and fighting back his tears.

Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Sally was up in her room at the GCAC getting a visit from Adam when her water broke, and Adam was with her through the birth of her new little bundle of joy … a daughter.
When Billy finally made it up to Sally’s room, Adam was leaving to find him and the two come face-to-face! Sally tells Billy to come over to the bed to meet his daughter, leaving us with that heartbreaking shot of Adam with tears in his eyes at the door. A bittersweet moment, indeed.
Throughout the drama of the wedding reception, and the scenes that followed, Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman were given the opportunity to show their acting chops given the meaty material that was well-written and they broke our hearts.

Photo: JPI
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Special mentions also needs to go to Courtney Hope as the new Mrs. Abbott with mew baby in tow, and Billy Flynn (Cane), who along with Thompson had many reaching for the hankies when they learned about Jill.
The scenes between Billy and Cane were fueled with such history as the two “brothers” try to commiserate over what might happen if Jill were to die.
However, when all was said and done, it was Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman, who while not the OG Billy and Adam, brought their rivalry full circle, while each commanding the screen when the moment called for it.

Photo: JPI
That’s why, Michael Fairman TV names Jason and Mark are picks for the Power Performances of the Week.
In case you missed it, check out our livestream chat with Jason Thompson and Courtney Hope, right after Billy and Sally welcomed their new little bundle of joy on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Now let us know, do you agree with our picks of Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman for the Power Performances of the Week, or did you have another pick? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
-

Beyond the Gates5 days agoTabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
-

Breaking News4 days ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
-

Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDays of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
-

Interviews3 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
-

Previews1 week agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
-

General Hospital1 week agoWil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud











Brad Bell is rewriting history read the entire interview Karen Spencer NEVER had a relationship with Ridge it was Thorne!!! If you want to center around teenyboppers that’s fine but the acting classes would help. And if you want to spice this up bring in Deacon, oh thats right your sister-in-law ruined his character. My head is spinning and I just threw up pea soup. I use to watch this on my lunch hour not anymore.
Yes!! Bring back Deacon!! I just want him to love the crap out of Hope & put Ridge in his place!
CBS has favored loyalty & quality over cost?! This man is an idiot! Maybe he would like to define his idea of loyalty after all CBS cancelled a show in GL that was older than TV itself!!! And quality…B&B has never been a quality show. Outside of Susan Flannery, not one person can act on that show! The stories are tired & predictable. I don’t care if they won an Emmy, it’s garbage. I can’t believe we’ve lost GL, ATWT, OLTL & AMC and his junk is still on the air. If not for the cushy post Y&R time slot, B&B would be gone! Hope he remembers this interview when CBS finally pulls the plug!
I like Brad Bell for more reasons than supporting the soap genre. Thanks Bell for not going all Hollywood when you could so easily have done so. You obviously remember the people that helped U get where U are; you have remained grounded and practical.
I think he is speaking the truth, otherwise I would still be getting home from work and be able to watch “One Life To Live” !
But ABC took that away from us.
I am sure that some people many be getting tired of all the OLTL fans crying about this…. but it is still a great loss to us.
It’s not so much of getting tired, I talk to people all over the site, but I only want to talk about GH with folk, NOT One Life to Life. IT IS OVER…….. I will continue to FIGHT for One Life, petition for it, send soap and all the rest, BUT there is no need to compare One Life to GH, and wish the entire cast of One Life over to GH. OLTL had it’s movement in time, and General Hospital STILL have their’s, and we must ACCEPT that and move on…! So as a fan, I’m not tired of the fans crying over OLTL ; I’m tired of the wish list of OLTL fans coming over to GH. Tired of it. Fans should continue their fight, but not at the expense of wishing GH turn into OLTL….
OLTL had it’s movement in time, and General Hospital STILL have their’s….!!!
I can appreciate your response, and I take no offense with it, as in the past, I may have been one of the fans guilty of wishing in the way you have expressed. However, I have not mentioned GH in my comment today… but will take everything you have said into consideration and be more caring and repectful to the GH fans in future postings.
Sometimes I wish we could hear each others comments rather than just read them, so much can be lost with injecture in text and and the absence of vocal tone.
Thank you, Brian.
Brian said: ” Sometimes I wish we could hear each others comments rather than just read them, so much can be lost with injecture in text and and the absence of vocal tone. ”
This Brian is a TRUE Fact…!
Wagner (Frisco) can come back to GH. That has always been his home.
Since Felicia is going to reconcile with Uncle Mac, who is a good pairing for Frisco?
Carly?
who said anything about felicia reconciling with mac?
Me
keep dreaming.
if bell thought wagner was that great of an actor he would have given himm better storylines – he just blowing smoke to us…………….
I donot want to see Frisco or Felicia back on the canvas, separate or together. Frisco is too ringled up for Carly. Jack should have stayed out the sun.
lol
Jack Wagner is just one of the many male actors he has let go the bottom line is young actors cost less money I am surprised Jack lasted as long as he did. Brad Bell is terrible about not wrapping up their storylines he just drops them with no mention of them again. My sister could never stand this show because Ronn Moss who is suppose to be super stud acted so feminine! Usually over the years if you were paired with KKL you had a short life so JW lasted longer then most of us thought.
BB was good earlier, but lately I am sick of Steffy, Liam, Hope -that’s all they have to give? Now they let all the older actors go , but oh they were good ones, shame on BELL!!! Many us tired of Liam,Hope & Steffy its sick watching these three day in and day out Monday-Friday. They don’t have other story lines to provide us? Brooke, Ridge & the rest of the gang should stay home. This is turned out horrible lately!
Bell get with it man your losing your VIEWERS!
Stephanie & Eric bore me to tears! & The Steffy/Liam/Hope story is being killed w/sexual anxiety stuff. It’s just really awkward to watch. I can only hope it’s brief but these way story lines seem to drag on, I doubt it. More Katie, more Bill, more Brooke!!! Where’s Amber? & Rick?
Tell all the fans who watch the soaps on your network to NOT watch Kati Couric when it hits ABC. We the soap fans who support the genre DONOT support any new show, on any network PUT ON in place of a soap. I am an ABC viewer and since I lost AMC and OLTL, I change the channel and I DONOT go to CBS and watch THE TALK, because it replaces a CBS soap opera and I support the soap genre. Sprend the word to fans who watch your network, and post on ” New-Soap Buzz” for your network. Thank You.
* In fact do a copy/paste and, SAVE this to your inbox.
They will STOP canceling our soaps when they know other soaps fans (that aren’t made at them about their soaps cancellation) wont jump the network and support a show. I change my television at 1 and 2 pm to WHATEVER channel that is running a soap opera, just so they can get the ratings, and I go on about my business.
I am deeply frustrated,as a HOPE fan,that she is being wasted,her values are wasted just for the need to SATISFY a married guy,Liam.Liam never deserved and whatever he does,he will never deserve Hope.We,really are very sad for the late storyline for Hope,but we still have a hope that Hope will realize Liam is just a selfish boy who does not deserve her pure love.Thomas and Hope has had the greatest chemistry in new generation and Veterans Day romance(just like we were watching a fairytale from a beautiful book),Cabu scenes were the only scenes where we really witnessed HOPE’S EYES WERE SHINING! Thomas and Hope scenes and chemistry are so like Brooke&Ridge’s.So why not use this perfect chemistry with a new storyline? We want writers to write Hope falling in love with Thomas.Liam is killing the show.Do writers watch the show with the eyes of the fans? if they don’t,please someone tell them that HOPE&THOMAS storyline need to be written before Hope’s character is totally ruined by Liam the worthless one.Thanx
I agree Samet the pill popping storyline for Hope is not what I expected. However; I do believe the writers are trying to make a point with the deep seated issues Hope had been surpressing since childhood. She and her mother almost being rape. Also the enormous pressure she has put on herself to be a role model for young girls. What she is about to experience is a real life situation that could turn out to be a positive for her in the end. I disagree with the notion that Liam is the one that ruining her character. I have no doubt he will be there and love her 100% when she goes through this trial. There is a special love and bond the two of them share. You can feel it when they are in a scene together. If you think about all the troubles both Liam & Hope have encounter and still have this undying love for each other. I do believe the writers are making a point that Liam & Hope is B&B destiny couple.
Frankly, I would like to see a new guy come into the picture down the road and takes a romantic interest in Hope. I think Liam assumes that Hope is always going to be there for him. I hope the writers shake things up a little bit. As I stated earlier, Liam is not going to desert Hope when she goes through this crisis. I truly believe that he will be her rock through this ordeal. I also believe that BIll definitely has a hidden agenda in this whole Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle. He wants to keep Steffy close because of his past steamy relationship with her. Those feelings are still there.
The Hope/Liam storyline has been completely and irreparably ruined by the writers. The Y&R was my favorite soap and the only one I watched regularly. Then, one day I tuned in to B&B and saw the character Hope whom I adored immediately. I was hooked on the love storyline between the Liam/Hope characters. How they met and how their relationship developed was awesome. Their wholesomeness, their friendship, and later, the love that developed between them was mesmerizing. She had principles and stood by them, regardless of what others did and thought of her. I was so impressed with the direction of the storyline, having Hope hold on to her values and resisting the temptation to be with Liam after he betrayed her. Then, someone got the idea to turn Hope into a desperate, pill popping adulteress who will do anything to keep Liam. I HATE what the writers did to Hope’s character, and to be honest with you, I tried to continue to watch the show but I can’t. I absolutely hate the show now and no longer bother to tune in. I purposely turn the channel from B&B now as I find it painful to watch. And just for the record, every character on a soap does not have to be turned into someone without morals. There are so many viewers who adored Hope and what she stood for who now hate what the writers have turned Hope into. (read the message boards). I use to read them and was overjoyed to see how many people loved what Hope stood for. NOW, I actually wish, since this is soap opera land, that Hope’s sleeping and moving in with Liam could all be a dream and Hope’s character is redeemed back to what it was. Until then, I just don’t care to watch any more.