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!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘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
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
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’ 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
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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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.