News
CBS Daytime's V.P. Angelica McDaniel Chats On Emme Rylan's Exit From Y&R & The Twists In The Carmine/Lauren/Michael Story!

Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
There has been a lot to celebrate for Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS Entertainment Angelica McDaniel, who has done a tremendous job creating amazing synergy with the CBS Daytime line-up of shows which include: The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Talk, Let’s Make a Deal and The Price is Right! With Y&R turning 40 years young this past week, and ratings in key demos showing significant increases overall, McDaniel’s approach to being the network leader, behind the soaps and the day part, has shown a renewed vision which includes her know-how of social media and how to create awareness over many platforms in our day and age.
In a new in-depth interview in the latest edition of Soap Opera Uncensored, Nelson Branco chats with McDaniel about all things Y&R and B&B, the state of the daytime industry, and the changes she has made to infuse new life into the shows in which she manages. Here are a few interesting excerpts on what went down when Emme Rylan decided to leave her role as Abby Newman and head to GH to become the new Lulu, and how she and the Y&R creative team gave story to Marco Dapper’s Carmine, which helped continue the downfall of Michael (Christian LeBlanc) and Lauren’s (Tracy E. Bregman) marriage.

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
McDaniel on how she found out Emme Rylan was leaving Y&R: “The one thing I will say about Emme that is upsetting is we basically found out the same way the fans found out. We got a phone informing us that her last tape date was in two days and that she was joining GH. I definitely would have loved to have received a phone call saying, “She has an offer, so pay or play.” Listen, these things happen. I get it. It’s business. We were sad to see her go. We were excited to see her return recently. I wish her the best of luck on GH. I’m happy I can still follow her tweets and see pictures of her having fun with her kids. I’m also excited to see what replacement Melissa Ordway will do with the role.”

Photo Credit: duffimages.com
McDaniel on how it was decided to use Marco Dapper’s Carmine as another breaking point in Lauren and Michael’s now troubled relationship: “Marco wasn’t being utilized so we challenged Josh to come up with something… we were definitely interested in some kind of affair. Out of that conversation, came two stories. You’re right… you can’t just write an affair storyline out of the blue. There has to be a reason. The bullying story was very timely and gripping… and that led to the deconstruction of Lauren and Michael’s marriage. Lauren needed an escape and what better escape than in the arms of Carmine? (Laughs) This could all happen in real life. It’s a great story, which we knew would be great right away. We knew it was something that had to play out. It couldn’t be a quick story that was tied up in a matter of weeks. With Josh and the outliners, I always say, “This show has been here for 40 years… and we aim for it to be here for another 40 years. What we do with the characters today, we have to think how is this going to affect them in 5 to 10 years.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images
McDaniel if Lauren and Michael’s love story has legs to it: “With this Lauren and Michael storyline, there is a long-term journey. On this show, we’re creating a beautiful mosaic. That’s what Y&R is: tiny, shiny little pieces but together they are stunning. Over the 40 years and the 40 years to come, when you step back and look at Y&R, it’s a beautiful and stunning piece of art. What’s really powerful about this Lauren and Michael story – and you’re right, it is great – is that there is going to feel the impact and fallout for years to come much like Cassie’s shocking death; and what beautiful, heartbreaking moments came out of that with Joshua Morrow and Sharon Case. That story is still driving and influencing story and characters to this day.”
So soapers, what do you think of how CBS Daytime is doing since Angelica McDaniel took over as the boss? What do you feel about the Carmine/Lauren affair? Do you think it’s hot? Do you want Lauren and Michael back together STAT? Or, do you think it should be over? And, what do you think about Emme Rylan exiting her job at Y&R and heading to GH? Weigh-in!
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.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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I like Tracy Bergman since she was on DOOLs as Donna Craig. I feel they kinda trashed Lauren 4 me when they had her bed another man so shortly after she had an arguement with her husband that could easily been fixed. As for Angelica McDaniel she kinda resembles Candace Cameron Bure in that photo.
Right now Sharon and Adam need to get back together and have a fantasy wedding and fix the mistake the writers did by making this horrific character Chelsea pregnant with Adam child. Sharon and Adam are the real new Nikki and Adam of the future! They really need Drucilla back. Avery and Nick so boring as is Lelie and her brother! Please get back to super couples! 🙂
Sharon and Adam my favorite. loving Phyllis with Jack and hope Summer turns out to be Jacks. loving Dylan may be Sharons long lost brother. SO MAD! That Nikki and Victor are still dissappointing us with this gross behavior that is beyond abuse not towards Sharon! Just shameful! Sharon is still NOT being treated fair on this show. This town of GC acts like Sharon is the town villian! ENOUGH! She is the ONLY normal nice loving character! Really tired of this after 32 years make Sharon happy!!! Romeo and Juliet’s love has nothing on Shadam’s love!!!
Sharon is still being treated UNFAIR! She does not deserve this abuse from Nikki and Victor! Sharon is the only normal Character and most loving! ENOUGH! Sharon and Adam deserve the true love romance they share. get rid of Chelsea . Tired of this now! 32 yrs I am a fan and can’t believe still no Shadam reunion and where is Drucilla ! leslie is not for Neil! I wait and wait but still nothing reminds me of Bill bells fantastic love romance and mystery and chemistry, One more thing . Avery and Dylan BORING!
Happy with the new Abby coming. Sharon and Adam need a huge wedding. Chelsea needs to leave the country. Dru needs to show up for Neil and Lily because they are boring without the queen. Chloe needs someone else because Jana was perfect for Kevin. Chloe can leave with Chelsea on a slow boat to no place. Avery cooks one more time I may scream! P.S. FYI no one wants to see Victor and Nikki any more . They are insane with hate
Love Sharon and Adam and don’t understand why is this character Chelsea shoved in our face. As a loooong time fan of the show i just don’t see any chemistry with Chelsea and Adam. Adam is and was so in love with Sharon.She is his better half. Will be have to beg another year for Victoria Rowell to return as Drucilla or what? Please bring her back. I am so bored with Leslie and this Wheeler stuff. Avery also nothing for me. Cane and Lily need to brake up. By the way why is Victor and Nikki acting like Sharon is the worst person in GC? She hardly did anything compared to Victor! Nikki also killed Diane. Victor framed Sharon for Skyes murder!
I love Chelsea and wish people would give her the chance she deserves. I think her and Adam are great together and I can’t understand why people think Adam and Sharon should be together – the two of them together makes me sick.
Carmine is an interlude for Michael and Lauren. Carmine is best fit for the younger generation at Y&R.
I find it amusing that angelica McDaniel was so taken aback by Marcy Rylan’s sudden resignation from Y&R. Considering how Ryan was unceremoniously sacked last year & then rehired months later, but only on a part time basis, it should have really come as no surprise to McDaniel at all. GH offered Rylan what Y&R wouldn’t , a full time position in a soap where she would be appreciated & valued. You cannot expect to treat your actors like they’re disposable & expect loyalty in return. Since JFP has come on board they have been firing & hiring non stop. Some of the changes have been needed & turned out for the better, but the flow on effect is that the existing cast is living under a cloud of insecurity & uncertainty. You can’t hold it against someone if they are looking for security, as these actors I am sure have got mortgages & families depending on them too. We fans will miss Marcy very much, we wish her well & hope that one day she will come back to the role of Abby Newman.
Yep….I wonder what time-frame they had when she was fired….probably along the lines of…you are gone at end of week.
Is it not amusing when the tables get turned on them the suits upstairs as they are usually called. JFP& JG had no problem cleaning house when they jumped on board and what kind of notice did Blake Hood get or Kevin Schmidt when they were secretly recast. I know from an interview Marcy did she discussed this move with Eileen Davidson & Ron Raines from Guiding Light.
I was thinking the same thing. They fired Emmy unceremoniously last year then eventually brought her back but not on contract. Are they really surprised? Do onto others fits perfectly in this scenario. I think they got what they deserved. Happy for Emmy & GH – perfect fit!
I don’t blame Emme Rylan leaving. Y&R couldn’t be trusted. They let her go before, and probably without much notice. And I don’t believe that Y&R’s numbers are up. I know so many people who stopped watching, or aren’t watching every day like they used to. And about this fiasco if a storyline about bullying, you bully a child to the point that they attempt suicide and the bullys are rewarded. Summer runs down a pregnant couple and kills their unborn child and bullies a fellow classmate and is rewarded with a shiny new sportscar and a cush job at a cosmetic’s and fashion house. Her co-hort gets to stay at his uncke’s house, talks back to his dad, and doesn’t get grounded. They both should have volunteered at a suicide hot line or forced to start an anti- bullying club at school. What a great moral to a bullying lesson – bully someone and there not only isn’t any punishment, but you’ll be rewarded!
Indeed! Thank you 4 your post you have hit the nail right on its head!
I agree Kimmy this plot line to drive Michael & Lauren apart was stupid. It would have been much more powerful to have brought Traci Abbott in on this storyline to point out to Lauren how she had always been a bully. I hope Carmine turns out to be a stalker the first sign of problems Lauren as usual drops her panties. lol
great post…as a bully victim for 8 horrible years…and by more than one, about 12 different ones, i was so outraged how y&rs bully storyline was so obviously not researched that i hardly watch any more. Dont care how they cheapened lauren as well.
I hadn’t thought about the Traci Abbott angle. That really would have added something to the storyline if she had been involve.
I remember the old Traci and Lauren feuds. Personally, I thought MAB wrapped it up too quickly. Lauren was a bully towards Traci and that would have worked. It would have shown that BOTH of Fen’s parents had been far from angels in the past. However, I also think Lauren to quickly appologized to Traci about being a bully in the past. Traci was very judgmental towards Lauren in the day and there was no dialogue where Traci apologized about anything to her.
Traci: “Lauren, I’ve known you a long time. It is funny that you can’t believe your son could act cruelly towards another kid. You did the same thing to me when we were younger.”
Lauren: “A mother knows her son and I am certain Fen did nothing wrong her. I can’t believe you would bring up the past in this manner. I thought we had buried all of that when I apologized to you but I see that you haven’t. I also see that you still meddle into other people’s lives just like you did when we were young. You were a judgmental busy body then and clearly still are. I tried to bury the ax with you but, in your typical fashion, you still want to pass your judgment on my life. Stay out of it, Tracy, and go back to New York.”
Ohhh noooo!
I was excited that Y&R would actually have something new…
But it will be in the same old rut of long drawn out stories of love problems, once again..
For just once I wish my old time fav soap Y&R could do something different, no spoilers ever need I know what will happen, always..
Y&R has seen very little direction change in the past 10yrs it never varies from business and love gone wrong stories..
Y&R has no suspense, no action, no thrills, it is dry ..
With Y&R you can stop watching and return a month later and not much change..
With GH, miss a day, and you miss a whole lot of change..
So sad, that I am addicted to watching Y&R, daily lol ..
Now this (puke)
quote;
“With this Lauren and Michael storyline, there is a long-term journey.”
Another ”long term journey” ……… dammit anyways lol (hope it ends by 2014)..
I only started watching Y&R after OLTL went off the air so I don’t know the prior history of these characters. From what I have seen in the last year, Michael and Lauren seemed like two of the only sensible people in this town. Her jumping in the sack with bartender boy is way out of proportion of the problem in her marriage. Her nose got bent out of shape because her husband was doing his job and trying to save their snotty nosed brat of a kid. Michael and Paul begged that kid to tell them his side of the story but all he did was go off in a huff. Michael had no choice but to take action based on the information he had. Because of that, now Lauren is doing the horizontal mambo (I still miss JR from OLTL) with the stupid bartender. From where I stand, this is just an excuse. She’s always been hot to trot. Michael really seems like a nice, honest man. I can’t wait for him to kick her onto the street where she belongs. Just my humble opinion.
That said, it is very nice to see the CBS VP who is actually appears invested in the quality and success of the program. Thank you Ms. McDaniel.
I so agree with you llanviewer717. I too hope that Michael kicks her out on the street where she belongs. She doesn’t deserve him. He’s too good for hot to trot Lauren.
Ditto- She is extremely selfish!
I hope these writers intend to put my favorite couple back together. This is a great story. Tracey Bregman and Christian Le Blanc continue to amaze me!!
I’m surprised that Marcy left Y&R for GH as, even though she’s reccuring,I would’ve thought Y&R was a safer job for her. Having said that, with all the recent unnecessary recasts (Noah and Kyle being the latest) is anybody safe there? It’ll be great to see her on GH though!
Angelica needs to stay in charge of CBS daytime forever if she wants to keep the soaps on the air for another 40 years!
wow… i’d like to watch the “Fall-out”… with Michael and Lauren….
will she shoe the bad girl incarnate… ? how will she grapple with infidelity….
HER Life with Michael…. these two would seem rock solid.
MF… or some one… I ‘d like to see when…. Michael finds out about Laurens’s affair…
since i don’t watch Y&R any more….
i’d tune back in to watch his initial reaction.
Between her skewered explanation about YR and what they did to Michael and Lauren (not to mention how they completely mangled that bullying s/l! which is a shame considering how important this topic is in this day and age) and her “explanation” about how ER left the show I’m not sure which one is the biggest joke.
That awkward moment when someone tries to do damage control only to end up putting fuel to fire.
I thought that when Marco asked Lauren …”Please give me one more night”……that was really stupid ..after she has destroyed her marriage to the love of her life for a bar tender that is half her age ….give me a break???????
Well said Carly. She’s sure making a fool of herself. Just saying.
I too wasn’t thrilled with how the bullying story went done. In the end, because Jaime lied about Fen pushing him, and I’m still not convinced it was a lie, it made Fen look good. There should have been more repercussions for Fen and Summer.
Carmine and Lauren are hot together, but he is just an interlude. She needs to cut him loose if she wants to be with Michael.
Chelsea and Adam elope! Sharon Case out at Y&R!! Drucila returns!!!
YES!!!
Hope you know its APRIL FOOLS DAY when i made those above comments about Chelsea, Adam, Sharon and Dru! LMAO!!!
I think it would be way more interesting if Michael had a sudden epiphany and had an affair with Carmine! Woof!