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!
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
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‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
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Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
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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.