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BREAKING NEWS: Genie Francis joins The Young and the Restless!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Holy cow! We did not see this one coming, but soapers, Y&R has just announced exclusively at EW.com that soap legend and Daytime Emmy winner, Genie Francis (Ex-Laura, GH) is coming on to the number one soap!  Genie is set to play the mother of Cane Ashby and joining the soap as a series regular in May! Holy May Sweeps!

According to the post, “Francis will play the mother of Ethan Cane Ashby (Daniel Goddard), who was declared dead outside his dad’s wedding last month and is now appearing as a ghost on the show.  His sudden “passing” lathered up the fans, so the addition of Francis should reignite speculation that Cane will remain an integral part of Genoa City. (His ghost is expected to continue appearing throughout the spring).  Francis will begin taping at the end of the month.”

And wait for it! Doesn’t this mean that Francis would reunite with her former Port Chuck co-star Tristan Rogers (Colin, and former, Robert Scorpio of GH) as the parents of Cane?

So, what do you think? Excited by the news?  The future of Francis? Goddard? Rogers?  Let us know.

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WOW! This is awesome but I want DG back as Cane too.

Yeah, I want Cane back, too, but I am wondering if he’s really dead! We all know that it is possible that people return from the dead and he may be faking it with the help of the FBI to keep the Aussie Mob off his family’s back. I am thrilled to no end to see Genie Francis returning to TV. General Hospital writers and “rulers” must be nuts to have let such a great and beloved talent escape them but Maria Bell and the Powers That Be @ Y&R have the good sense to recognize the wonderful talent and beauty of a brilliant actress. I cannot wait to see Genie!

Love GF, and thrilled she is coming to Y&R, but if Cane is dead, what is the point of him having parents…not intrested in a look a like Cane or a twin Cane, I want Cane Ashby back with his kids Mattie and Charlie and his wife Lily..If he doesn’t come back as Cane Ashby, they can keep it…

I’m happy for Genie and Y&R. GH’l’s loss is Y&R’s gain. Genie will rock Y&R. Guza looses yet again.

I agree completely.

Damn GH! Just when Lucky needs his Mother! Good for Y n R though. Francis n Rogers together again

As a Spencer family fan, I’m disappointed that Genie will not be returning to GH in the near future. However, I admire her determination to NOT play a victim. Many of us 21st century women watching these shows want to see more strong, independent women on daytime dramas – women who, like us, live, love, and manage marriages and children and careers. Bets of luck to Genie – the Spencers will miss you.

I am not happy at all about this news. Y&R already has too many characters, and there is no room for more newbies. I am sick of the fan favorites who have been on the show for yrs are continually being pushed to the back for stunt casting. I want to see my favorites not the likes of Genie Frances, Maura West, or Tristian Rogers. Time for Y&R to quit hiring the castaways from other soaps.

I’ll bet she’s going to end up being Katherine’s daughter- they would look EXACTLY like mother and daughter.

Excited? I am beyond that!! The Young and the Restless just got a new fan. I’ve been barely hanging on with GH. Now, I think I am done!! Go Genie!

What is GH’s loss is Y&R’s gain! I am so glad a soap hired this beloved vet. Y&R seems to have been stale for quite a while. This is a change for the better.

I can’t believe gh had Luke run over baby Jake. Laura is already catatonic I’m sure if she came back they would finish her off. She’s better off trying a completely new soap. LoL

I cant wait genie francis is my Favorite i liked her on G.H.cant wait to see her on the Y &R.

Wow! What a shocker. I’m not sure I’m happy about this. I know Y&R needs some new blood, but what is the purpose? Is she going to shake Jill’s world? At this moment when Luke and Lucky need her on GH, I think I would rather she was there and not Brenda. I don’t know why GH brought her back. She is so boring and taking down Sonny with her. Well, it will be intersting to see what the story will be for Genie. It better be really good. Otherwise, why bother.

I love this. It’s great news!

omg!!!! this awesome awesome news – i am so thrilled!!
i know genie will be knocking every scene out of the park!!

Y&R is the show to watch now. So excited that Genie is back and even more excited that she does not have to go back to the horror show that is General Hospital. Take that Frons and Guza! Go Genie and kudos to Y&R for this fantastic move. Now Maria Arena Bell it is on you to write for this incredibly talented actress and daytime icon.

I’ll watch – cannot wait to see GF in a new role!

Great news!!! Big coup for Y&R to have both Tristan Rogers and Genie Francis on the show. GH’s loss is Y&R’s gain. So many ABC soap stars are being picked up by Y&R, while ABC is hiring newbies that are only driving down their ratings…..case in point, AMC. I am looking forward to TR and GF together again on my TV screen!!!!

Well, Guza dropped the ball AGAIN. Genie Francis is an icon with a huge fanbase. I am glad Y&R nabbed her up. Talk about a great May Sweeps. Guza is not that smart. They ignored Genie and the Laura character for years by having her in France. Guza’s writing is all about 4 characters and the long time Vets who saved GH from cancellation years ago have been killed off, written off and Guza just refused to let Genie return to the show even though Genie Francis had a huge fanbase begging for her return. I am thrilled that Y&R recognizes the huge following of Genie and the other vets now on canvas at Young and They Restless–The Number One Soap..Go Genie!!

Ok, I am not a big Laura fan, but I am a Cane fan, I just love Cane Asby and Lily Winters..And if that mean they are getting back together, I am all for it…

Cane and Lily and Jason Morgan and sam Mcall are my #1 Couple, Cane and Lily are my second

The only thing I like about Y&R Is Cane and Lily
The only thing I like about GH is Jasam, but if GV comes back as a new character I would like to see Kelly and Gregf working together….

But Congrats To Ms.Francis

OK! Let’s take the ball and run with it ! Y&R treat her with respect and I love the pairing with Tristan Rogers! You Go Genie!!!!!

If Frons & Guza keeps slapping GF in the face and treating her like nothing while bending over backwards for Geary – I don’t blame her for going to another soap. She hinted when she was on Oprah that she was willing to come back to daytime but not as a victim. Apparently ABC did not take the bait, so why not try another show. Daytime may not be around 5 years from now so go Genie!

Oh yay! I’m an ABC girl, but I might check Y&R out for Genie Francis. 😀

I’m thrilled about this news for Y&R, but sad for GH. Now the great Luke & Laura story will never end as it should. However, seeing Genie Francis with Tristan Rogers will make me tune in to Y&R every day! And I love Cane! I refuse to believe that he is really dead. Like Lily, I’m looking for him in every scene.

Big Hurray For Genie. Go Girl! 😉 😉

I am with you. I love her as Laura. I love Luke and Laura together. I want her to come back and help Luke and their family though this crisis. But, it seems that ABC/GH doesn’t think enough of her to bring her back to help her family. They don’t respect Genie. If they can’t respect her enough to treat her the way she deserves then it is definitely their loss. Guza losses another outsanding actress to Y&R/CBS.

Just wounderful. Can´t wait till Genie gets on the show. Maybe since she may have faked her death, she swooped in and faked Cane´s too to finally get rid of the father.

Very glad to see Genie back on the screen -she’s been away too long.
Kudos Y and R.

I like Genie but honestly I don’t see the point of this unless it’s just to reveal Cane is not actually dead. Who is she going to interact with, I’d like to see more of my regulars on screen who don’t get enough airtime then newbies… i’m waiting for Cane’s dad to go and now his mom is showing up too. The only way I will enjoy this is if it is to reveal Cane is not dead. Plus she never stays around too long, she’ll wait until her story gets good and then up and leave the way she always does.

General hospital should be canceled and bryan frons should be fired I hope CBS will pick up a few more great actors from abc soaps Genie Francis will be great on Y&R !!

It will be difficult to watch Genie Francis portray a rather dark and sinister character, when she has always portrayed pure sweetness and light on General Hospital. I think that her fans will be sad to see her as such a cold and heartless character. We will be longing for the sweet and gentle Laura of long ago. However Miss Francis appears to be comfotable in this new and rather grim portrayal of a rather emtionless and determind womam. Perhaps her somber character will fall inlove with Jack or Victor, and maybe then she will become softer, and more loving, and more like Laura Spencer.However Miss Francis is great

I am so excited to see Francis back on Soaps, especially Y&R. She’s always been my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE female soap star, Eric Braeden is my favorite male star, and I believe she will be a great asset to the program. As for others on the show, I really do not like the current Heather. She is no where near as pretty as Paul’s first “daughter” who was a blond just as his daughter would be since he and his wife are blond and she cannot act. I do wish Chloe could find a better love interest rather than Kevin. They don’t have chemistry… Maybe she could hook up with one of the cops on the show. Also, I like Ted Shackleford best as Gloria’s punching bag. Love Nick with Sharon and for my part, it will always be Victor and Nickie forever.

Oh it’s sooo good to have Genie Francis on TV again and acting with GH Tristan Rogers again is a gorgeous comination that really sticks together.
There is a big fangroup of GH from the earlier times (79-81) that loved the incredible magic of the Luke & Laura (Lovers on the Run) Scenes. Genie and also Tristan guarantee the same wonderful depth and quality to bring now in the story of Y&R. I just love em and wish all the best to Genie for her start!!

@tonia and all those other GF-Fans above there: I agree absolutly with you:
Guza did destroy a legend on GH!! I’m German and unfortunately in Germany GH was only aired between 1980-1982. Thankfully a true GH/L&L Fan (Sue….) put great playlist on youtube for anybody to watch the old stuff and so since February 2011 I startet from the very begin in 1977 watching Genie Francis alias Laura Webber-Baldwin and became one of her biggest fan. I like her humanity and sweet style so much but I also have a lot of understanding for Genie Francis wish to act in different style (stronger and opaquer) than in her former victim-like-role. Well, I hope my German-English didn’t bugged you too much. Wish Genie and all of the people on the set and specially Maria Bell all the best and millions of additionally viewers!!! XXX TinaLaura

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‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom on Working with TV Son Crew Morrow: ‘I’ve Always Wanted to Play an Overprotective, Overbearing Mother’ (Exclusive)

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Heather Tom, Crew Morrow

In an ironic twist of fate, and only in the soaps, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom’s (Katie Logan) on-screen son is played by Crew Morrow (Will Spencer), the now 21-year-old son of her former TV brother on The Young and the Restless, Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman).

For those who have followed the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress’ career, Tom began on Y&R back in 1990 as Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor’s (Eric Braeden) daughter Victoria Newman. She played the role until 2003. Four years later, she joined the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful and has been there ever since.

Next month, at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Heather might add two gold statuettes to her collection with nominations for Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series (which would be her record-breaking 7th for an actress), and one for being a part of B&B’s writing team.

Photo: JPI

WHICH MORROW IS IN THE ROOM?

In a new livestream conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Heather recalled her reaction to seeing Crew Morrow on set when he started on B&B over two years ago, and pointed out the uncanny similarities between her TV son and her former TV brother.

“I just can’t even tell you how genetics is weird,” explained Tom. “Because it’s like they are the same person; the cadence and his voice and the way he laughs. When Crew was on the shows for the first couple of months, it would take me out of the scene. I would be like, ‘Oh, my God! It’s Joshua.’ It’s crazy. It’s so wonderful to have him. I love having him there. We’re so lucky to have Crew. I think he’s a wonderful addition to the Spencer family. I love that Bill (Don Diamont) and Katie’s son is on the canvas in a real way.”

In recent weeks, fans of The Bold and the Beautiful have seen a different side of Katie in regards to her son, Will. She simply does not approve, and does not trust Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) as far as she can throw her. That puts a wrinkle in the mother/son relationship.

Photo: JPI

HEATHER TOM IS THRILLED THE CHARACTER OF WILL SPENCER IS ALL GROWN-UP

“Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this story since Will was born,” exclaimed Heather  “To be like the overprotective, overbearing mother, momma bear, I love it!”

As for Katie’s attitude. which many feel may need an “attitude adjustment,” Tom has it all figured out on just how she is tackling her scenes! “I have all kinds of justifications for it,” reveals the multi-talented star.

Photo: JPI

KATIE SEES ALL SORTS OF RED FLAGS WITH DYLAN

“So. it’s not just Katie being the b-word,” proclaims Tom. “It’s that Will, her son, whom she loves and supports so much, has been constantly saying about Electra (Laneya Grace), ‘This is the love of my life. She’s broken my heart. I love her. All I want to do is get her back.'”

“So I think Katie could be like, ‘Okay, well, Electra’s a little flighty, but my son loves her, so I’m going to try to support that relationship,” explains Heather. “In addition, Will has never told his mother, ‘I love Dylan,’ at all. I think Katie is thinking of telling Will, ‘You should run, not walk, from this girl who seems somewhat obsessed!’ I don’t know where they’re going with the Electra/Will/Dylan triangle, but I think Katie’s very focused on Dylan for a multitude of reasons.”

So, do you like seeing Heather Tom as Katie going into overprotective momma bear-mode, now that the series has a major young triangle between Electra/Will/Dylan? What do you think about the fact that Heather has been a long-running scene partner with father/son across two different soaps in Joshua Morrow and Crew Morrow? Let us know in the comment section, and in case you missed it, check out our full conversation with Heather below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Finola Hughes Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’

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Finola Hughes

There was never any doubt that in watching the riveting and emotional scenes on General Hospital which featured Finola Hughes as a PTSD-driven and mentally tortured Anna Devane, that when the climatic moments in Anna’s story aired, that we would not be singing the praises of Hughes. Once again, Finola showcased why she is one of the soap opera genres greatest assets and actresses.

In the key scenes, Anna has had a complete breakdown as she has lured and cornered Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) on Mount Emerson, and even thought through how she would kill her and cover it up, all thanks to hearing the voice and seeing a dead man, Peter August (Wes Ramsey). It’s visions of Peter that keeps egging Anna on to pull the trigger on Britt while in her delusional state.

Before Britt realizes that Anna trapped her in meeting her in Mount Emerson, she is very confused as to why she was all the way out in the boondocks to talk about what happened to her brother, Cassius Faison. However, Britt soon learned that what Anna was about to do is personal, and not professional, as she pulls the gun on her.

Courtesy/ABC

ANNA FIRES HER GUN IN GAME-CHANGING MOMENT

When Jason (Steve Burton) shows up to save the say, he tries to talk Anna off the ledge, begging her to not shoot Britt and make one of the greatest mistakes of his life. When Jason figured out Anna felt she needed to kill anyone related to Cesar Faison, he made her think twice, because that would mean, she also would need to end the lives of two of Maxie’s children, James and Bailey Lu.

Anna can’t stop seeing hallucinations of Peter pushing her to shoot Britt. Suddenly and completely overcome, Anna fires bullets straight in the direction of where she sees Peter as she declares this all must end tonight.

After the shots are fired, Anna realized what she had done and just sobbed and shook. It was a devastating and heartbreaking moment for longtime General Hospital fans to see the beloved Anna Devane, super spy, so lost. Anna explained to Jason, after he was able to disarm her, how she was being pushed to kill Britt by her visions of Peter.

EMMY-WORTHY SCENES FOR 2027

In another hankie-inducing moment, Anna just grabs Jason and breaks down in his arms. If these weren’t Emmy-worthy scenes, we don’t know what is, and it must be remembered by Hughes, General Hospital, and hopefully the voting body of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) when Emmy submissions and voting get underway in 2027 for the 54th annual Daytime Emmys.

From everything we noted above, to the sheer brilliance of her work, Michael Fairman TV names Finola Hughes, this week’s Power Performance of the Week.

Now let us know, do you agree with our pick of Finola? Were you moved to tears during the gut-wrenching scenes? Should Finola include these scenes in an Emmy submission in 2027, should she decide to compete for Lead Actress gold? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ Shows Most Gains in Total Viewers Week-Over-Week and Up in Key Demo

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General Hospital

The ratings are out for the week of August 24-28 for your favorite broadcast television soaps, and it was ABC’s General Hospital which added the most total viewers and planted itself firmly in third place in its battle with Beyond the Gates in the key demos of women 18-49 and 25-54.

According to Soap Opera Network, all daytime dramas were up year-over-year, and General Hospital was joined by The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful with gains in their total audience viewership, while Beyond the Gates was only slightly off pace for the ratings week.

Let’s take a look at what had viewers tuning-in, starting with General Hospital, who added +79,000 viewers. While still under the 2 million viewers mark (which they can hopefully return in the coming weeks) their overall tally was an average of 1, 935,000 tuning-in, while still up year-to-year +136,000.

GENERAL HOSPITAL

In addition, GH while actually down from the previous week in the 18-49 ratings share, they still out performed Beyond the Gates for third place. However, GH was firmly in third place for the 25-54 ratings share.

The stories that were featured for the week included: Anna’s (Finola Hughes) PTSD and struggle with painful memories tied to Cesar Faison, and her concocting a plan to get rid of Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) recording Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) threatening her, and later running into a severe threat from Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) regarding Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) and Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) shooting, and Drew enlisting Ava (Maura West) to gain leverage over Jack, which resulted in Ava drugging him, while Drew went snooping for the evidence Brennan had against him.

Photo: JPI

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Y&R remained in the top spot amongst all the soaps once again with 3,062,000 tuning in, and up +35,000 for the week, while year-to-year still showing strong gains at +231,000 viewers. However, while Y&R remained #1 for the 25-54 ratings share, it fell to #2 in the 18-49 ratings share behind The Bold and the Beautiful.

In story for the week, Nick’s (Joshua Morrow) sobriety in rehab was a focus, as was Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) hitting the Jabot office couch and having sex for the first time, and Lily (Christel Khalil) and Billy (Jason Thompson) battling over control and ownership of Chancellor Industries.

Photo: JPI

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

B&B is continuing to be inch closer to Y&R for the top spot, separated by a little more than 300,000 viewers. For the ratings week, the series posted a total audience of 2,719,000 adding +31,000 eyeballs overall, and like Y&R, is up year-to-year in its performance.

The CBS soap now , now in its 40th season is +217,000 from the same time last year. In the key demos, The Bold and the Beautiful was in the top spot for the women 18-49 ratings share and number two for women 25-54.

In story, the major threat to Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) and Daphne’s (Murielle Hilaire) marriages continued as Steffy and Carter swore they would not tell their spouses that the two had a drunken hook-up. But as viewers know now, Steffy is pregnant!

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

Beyond the Gates tallied an average of 1,611,000 total viewers for the week, up +72.000 year-over-year and down slightly in tune-in for the week losing just -36,000 viewers. The CBS soap came in fourth place in the key demos for the week behind General Hospital, with whom they are often trading places for the third spot.

In story, after Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) was released from the hospital, Hayley (Marquita Goings) stuck to her plan, doubling down on poisoning him and even getting caught in a major lie or meeting with Randy (Maurice P. Kerry), as Vernon (Clifton Davis) may be on to her machinations.

The ratings report is generated from Nielsen (Live+Same Day Big Data + Panel) for the week of August 24-28, 2026

So, what did you think of the performance of General Hospital for the ratings period? Which daytime drama has you most likely to tune-in each day? Which has you tuning-out? Let us know what’s working, or not working for you in story, via the comment section below.

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