News
Burgess Jenkins Shares Parting Y&R Sentiment: "Farewell GC, Thanks For The Memories!"
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Burgess Jenkins, who wrapped his run back in November as Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless, but whose last episode aired this week, took to Twitter on Friday to say his final goodbye to the number one soap opera. Jenkins tweeted: “Farewell GC, Thanks for the memories.”
His departure makes way for GH fan favorite Jason Thompson who will takeover the role on-air on the Wednesday January 13th episode. Jenkins leaves the show after only a year and half when he debuted back in June of 2014. The actor’s casting came about after Daytime Emmy winner David Tom was let-go following the series bringing him back to the role he originated. Tom returned after Daytime Emmy winner Billy Miller opted out of the part, and eventually headed to GH.
Back in November, Jenkins made this statement publicly: “It’s been a terrific time, but after a lot of thought I have made the difficult decision to leave The Young and the Restless. Commuting back and forth from the East Coast where my home and family are based has been challenging.”
So, what do you think about Jenksins parting words? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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He has star qualities…
I agree. I think he is very good looking & did a fine job with the repetitive material he was given. He came in at a bad time & never got out from under it (the Delia grief/Adam vengeance. He had to play sad/angry the whole time. One thing I know, Patrick Drake would never have left Emma alone in a car with a puppy at night! For that reason alone he will be a better father/Billy than Billy Miller, ha.
See ya. It was painful watching you.
What a nice person you must be.
Your right Mo, he just never seemed comfortable with the role. He did do some of his best stuff at the end but he just had impossible shoes to fill.
But he’s a damn fine actor and he gave it his all. I do think giving him some respect as he makes his final bow is warranted.
Also, these last few weeks he put in an emotionally compelling and winning performance.
He was damned from the beginning trying to fill Billy Miller’s shoes. To many, Miller WAS Billy Abbott. Hell, even David Tom who originated the role of Billy Abott as a young adult was lambasted and fired after a short month. He did a great job and I wish Jenkins all the best.
wow – no mention of the fans or anything – hmmm………….
that speaks volumes but that is just my opinion
Well, he was lambasted from day one. We are passionate about our soaps and we all judge harshly. We did give him a chance but it was impossible to fit into Billy Miller’s shoes. JT was terrific on GH and I just think he has more abilities and will pair up with Victoria quite well.
yes a lot of soap fans do judge harshly & sometimes too harshly – i love jt and i think he is a fabulous actor – i just hope the y&r fans give him a fair chance
I just wish he had punched Victors smug face just 1 good time before leaving!
From your mouth to God’s ears. I’m not even interested in this new development that Billy, Kevin & Billy are involved in. It’s gotten so unreal. Victor finds out and he’ll win again. Victoria makes me sick as well. He goes to the hospital pretending to support her and pumps her for information about the project that Billy has been trying to get the money for and still she just hugs him and sucks up to him. I wish she’d tell him where to go. Now Adam id trying to bring him down, and we already know it wont work. It’s really getting boring.
Totally agree. I know I’m in the minority in most quarters, but I absolutely hate the character Victor Newman. I used to love to hate him, now I just hate him. There is not one single redeeming quality about this character and I at least need something to like about any character, especially “villains”. Agree about Victoria, as well. Just ONCE, could she insist that he STOP insulting Billy in her presence? Stop calling him “Billy Boy” to her face? There is nothing but disrespect coming from his mouth. It makes me sick that no one can win against him. I am so bored with the whole thing and the Victor character could be killed off tomorrow and I’d cheer; wouldn’t miss him one bit. I always fast forward thru his scenes and never miss a thing because all he ever does is repeat himself, ad nauseum. I always wonder, doesn’t EB get sick of saying the same words over and over for years & years? How boring. Gah…
Ok, that makes me feel better to get that rant off my chest. Thanks for listening! 😉
Tough role to fill, but he did an awesome job. Wish he didn’t leave. Best of luck!
I wish him luck. I had finally accepted him as Billy. He did a good job taking over the role after much upheaval. I hope he finds new roles quickly.
Sad to see him go but family always comes first. Looking forward to seeing Jason Thompson as the new Billy.
At least he got a fair shot playing the role of Billy. David sure as hell didn’t get a fair shot.
Well, I hope the best for BJ. It was an admirable job. Peace out.
They were smart enough to realize early on David didnt grow with the character, Billy. Nothing personal but they needed him to grow older and he didnt. They really hoped Burgess would work but he was too wooden. They were patient but in the end it didnt fly and JT was available. He will be great!
Although David originated the role ( and I loved him in the role, as much as Miller), he never lost his baby-face looks. I think that’s what did it. David was perfect in the role, as a teen, but as an adult, Billy Abbott needed that mischievous charm-quality only Miller could deliver. And, he flew with it. Billy Miller perfected the role.
I may sound mean and unappreciative, but, in my opinion, Burgess had neither the finesse nor the personality to gift us with a true representation of Billy Abbott. The stage is yours, Jason Thompson…..now DANCE!!
David was great as a teenage Billy but pathetic as an adult Billy with hard knock experience. It was a correct and resounding NO from fans of the character.
HE DID A GREAT JOB…….HE MADE THE ROLE HIS OWN AND HE BECAME VERY LIKEABLE……..NO ONE IS BILLY MILLER AND I SERIOUSLY DOUBT JASON THOMPSON IS GOING TO WORK OUT. GOOD LUCK TO A HANDSOME, GOOD ACTOR…….
JT will work. He and Jill look like mother and son, he will mega bond with Victoria and JT is a proven 10 year vet coming over from GH and had a great deal of success playing a diverse character. THATS why I know he will do well is because he has great range. Watch and see.
I agree with you, Timmm.
I cannot wait until he is on. Y&R needs him desperately. He is not only an actor, but one that makes you feel things. He can be heartbreaking, funny, sexy, mean, etc. He is everything that Billy Miller brought to Y&R. It’s time for a shakeup!
Billy Miller is not even Billy Miller. He made Billy Abbott fun and heartbreaking to watch, but now on GH, ugh, he is soooo boring. That is because the character of Jason Morgan is so boring.
I agree Chrystie, Billy Miller had a chance to add character and dimension to Jason. He should have been a cross between a Q and a Morgan. He acts in limbo most of the time and it is almost FF worthy! You keep waiting for him to breakout and remember who he is. People complained about Fluke, to me, this is getting to THAT point where they are wasting our time! EVERYONE knows he is Jason. Bring back his memory NOW! We need doctors so I’m leaning towards him being a Q. Make him a bad ass Q! Who cares, pick a side and lets go with it!
I think the writers don’t know what to do with Jason anymore. The character should have been left dead and Billy Miller should have come on as an entirely new character. These writers don’t know when to let go of a character. (Paging Franco.) Roger Howarth is great and should have been allowed to create an entirely new character of his own. And Robin should have stayed dead, in my opinion, which would have allowed Jason Thompson to move on a lot faster and perhaps into more meaningful story lines. And when the writers do bring in new characters, often it’s a fail because it’s with newbie actors who don’t yet have the experience or reputation capital to really make a character their own. (Valerie and Kiki for example). Look at Hayden and Eva — seasoned actors + new characters = success.
Jenkins job was not to portray Billy Abbott as a younger version of Jack Abbott. For this reason alone, Jenkins succeeded. The character of Billy Abbott is important to Y&R regardless of who portrays him. As St. John said: “I don’t care what the other guy did. That’s his time.”
Hi, Lillian,
Be that as it may, Jenkins did NOT succeed. Rejection from fans does not fall under ‘success’. I feel that the majority of us did not accept Jenkins because of his aura or lack thereof.
Hello CeeCee,
The majority of opinions does not erase the minority of opinions. Too much focus on soap actors have been placed squarely on their physical appearance. Billy Abbott was a more responsible adult under Jenkins. The writers have reversed course with the gambling and drinking. Unless Billy Abbott has zero dollars to his name, there is no logical reason for a multimillionaire many times over to be beaten up and in the hospital.
@Lillian.
I stand corrected with the majority comment. You make more sense than I do. LOL. I just never accepted him as Billy. So, I should not have generalized.
I couldn’t understand why Billy’s behavior made a U-turn suddenly. Obviously, in hindsight, it was to prepare him for his exit. And, yes, some of these scenarios are hard to swallow. As you say, why is Billy broke?
So passionate about our soaps! Wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m sorry to see him go. He made Billy his own. Much success in the future.
I liked him as Billy Abbott. I thought that he made the role his own. And as great as Billy Miller was as Billy Abbott, I’m not sure that his charm would have been enough to play the never-ending grief that Burgess (and David Tom) had to play.
I think Jason Thompson will do well, because he’s such a gifted actor. But this is a tough role with a tough audience.
Best of luck to Burgess in his new endeavors and to Jason on YR.
I feel.
out of all the Billy recast fail, that Jason will bring it home..
He has so many acting levels and if nothing else, his handsome good looks will put him in the slot..
I could simply look at the man and he would make it good for me..
I betcha he will grab the golden ring 🙂
Range, He has a lot of range and that will be his strong suit in being the next great Billy Abbott!
Who knows why he left and who made the decision. This is CBS, they never speak up about casting decisions. Remember the Michael Muhney disaster! But anyway, Burgess, you had huge shoes to fill and you were coming into your own but I think everyone will be better off just wrapping this experiment up and welcoming Jason Thompson. So long Burgess, I hope you find another gig for you and your family.
Too bad, he was hot. Not sure about this new guy playing Billy.
I finally got to really like him as a more mature Billy….he’s a great actor & I’m sad to see him go.As much as I like Jason Thompson I will always think of him as Patrick on GH…a character I loved…..I know Burgess said it was because of the commute but I just wonder if there’s more to this story than we’re hearing…..it’s hard to believe that in the world of acting when parts can be ages between jobs that someone would leave a secure job for the unknown….Michael Fairman what’s your take on this? whatever the case, good Luck Burgess Jenkins …..I wish all good things to come your way!
I wish you the best, Burgess! May God keep you!
Those who say the physical appearance of an actor doesn’t matter if one is a good actor are, perhaps, too secure in their thoughts. Burgess diverged too much from the previous Billy.
However, I enjoyed the change and evolution; wish he could have stayed. I haven’t watched this week, but am not liking another departure of a very good actor subsequent to being beat up by the mob. Nor, was the demeaning death of Kelly deserved by a very fine actress who was lead down an awful road by the writers.
To Burgess here is wishing you the best.
Burgess, did a fine job. Much more believable than Thoms.
Miss the old Phyllis can’t be replaced!!
For those saying Burgess Jenkins made the role of Billy his own, I agree. Yeah, he made him lose his pizzazz. He was nasally,, rather one dimensional, said “Vic” one too many times and did not hold my interest. But now Billy Miller does not hold my interest as Jason Morgan on GH either.
I can’t wait for Jason Thompson. He will kill it as Billy Abbott. Mark my words.
I loved Burgess Jenkins in the role of Billy! In my opinion he was more believable in the role than the last two actors. Good luck, Burgess. Such a good actor should have no problem finding work. God bless….
Jenkins was the best thing on the show! I’ve watched Y&R since almost the first episode and Jenkins is adorable and the only lovable actor on this fast-aging show. They should get rid of Chelsea (thank God they got rid of Chloe) Those aren’t actresses, they are geese squawking. They talk in their throats instead of projecting their voices. Send them to a voice coach for everybody’s sake. I hope to see Jenkins soon again. Bill Bell needs to be let go. He’s lost his marbles.
I loved you as Billyand will miss you but, family first. I wish you success.
I hate to see him go. I feel he was the perfect guy for the role. I hope he changes his mind and soon. Not sure I like his replacement.