News
CBS names Angelica McDaniel the new Sr. VP Daytime Programming!
After months of looking for a replacement for the former Senior V.P. of Daytime Programming, Barbara Bloom, CBS has finally named her successor! And the key appointment goes to Angelica McDaniel, who was been McDaniel has been overseeing day-to-day creative affairs for The Talk since joining the network in August 2010. She reports to CBS Entertainment president, Nina Tassler.
McDaniel will oversee all daytime programming, including The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Price is Right and Let’s Make a Deal and The Talk.
Prior to joining CBS, McDaniel was a creative executive in the Telepictures/Warner Bros. program development department. She also served as the current executive for the fifth season of The Tyra Banks Show. From June 2007-March 2009, McDaniel was Creative Director of New Media for Telepictures Productions, spearheading digital initiatives, social media strategies and web integrations for The Ellen Degeneres Show, TMZ, Essence, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Extra, The Tyra Banks Show and MomLogic.
Tassler said of the appointment of McDaniel, “Angelica has made invaluable contributions to the launch and success of The Talk. Her strategic and creative vision and understanding of the daytime landscape will continue to move CBS Daytime in the right direction as this successful and profitable day part continues to evolve.”
So soapers, how do you feel about the appointment of McDaniel? At least its not someone who we have all seen ruin another network’s programming day part, right?
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
I think her being with the talk…in any form….not good,that is what she will want on the landscape for daytime tv…you watch…it will happen on CBS also….the same as ABC…
Hope she is not a hack for the CBS soaps. Do not need another face person to end the soap genre.
I think it’s time we found a channel that can be a home for ALL of the soaps. Then at least we wouldn’t be biting our collective nails over what was going to happen next. Hopefully, CBS is watching ABC closely and seeing the precipitous drop in ratings as a sign not to screw with their two remaining soaps.
Her entire background consist of various talk shows…..so, this does not make me look ahead for a bright future for CBS soaps. I totally agree with Trapper….just put all our soaps on one channel, and make the soap fans happy.
She doesn’t appear to have been associated with anything except reality/talk programming. I don’t think that is encouraging. Are there no executives skilled in fictional entertainment or has management decided this is dead in daytime?
watch out b&b and y&r fans ,could be history repeating itself ,only it s on another network,another reality expert ,shes a yak ,yak, yak, professional .so that means more crap feast shows coming to cbs.wish I could watch but neither soap is on in my area at 2,and I started watching dool ,so I cant help.what question I have is whats with all the hiring of these reality people?there killing the soaps to put cheap programing on,I guess you dont have to be very smart or a creative person to plain afternoon shows.I guess they work for less money to,while the bigwigs make more money by showing dumb shows for dumb people .
Lady, U comment about more than one network other than abc. I’v been on all today, and haven’t been able to catch you on. Sometimes you can catch a person, posting around the same time as yourself.
IM all over the place ,started watching dool when we lost amc.Im just now,getting interested,use to watch dool but then they put it on where one life to live was ,so the better soap won ,and that was a very long time ago.
Hmm I think we have a problem here. There is no way soaps are going to continue with someone at the helm who likes reality and talk shows. And you know what with the way they are writing for Y&R and B&B it will be like shooting fish in a barrel to cancel them.
Shocking. Not a good sign for soap fans . I’m beginning to wonder… what are the daytime execs smoking???? What part of failure do they not understand???? Hasn’t anyone learned from the mistakes OFABC??? Soap viewers have spoken loud and clear. God I cant believe CBS is heading in this same direction.
“At least its not someone who we have all seen ruin another network’s programming day part, right?”
Well there’s a start for everything, right?
That’s CBS. Has nothing to do with me or my interest. I don’t watch CBS unless for special occasions. These days I leave my television on when I’m gone, to another channel (and sometimes that’s CBS) can get the ratings I refuse to give ABC any earlier ratings before the 3pm slot, when I get home.
Nope. NOT good.
Sorry, I don’t trust ANYONE even remotely associated with THE TALK (or Let’s Make a Deal for that matter).
So, IMHO ? ….The writing’s on the wall too, over at CBS daytime.
Despite good ratings for Y&R and BB right now?….why, it’s only just a matter of time.
The network, ALL the networks, are out to “get” the soaps…….totally OFF the air.
Sorry. I really am THAT skeptical at this point.
CBS is a more conserrvative network, so I hope they are no plotting any sudden cancellations of Y&R and B&B. It is confusing to me, as much as primetime programmers have abandoned Saturday night, that the webs do not work harder to make daytime count and be unique as it has for decades. I cannot imagine that is done by dismantling successes for pale imitations and mindless talk/reality shows. I’d even welcome the return — as we have in primetime — of game shows at least. There is a place for daytime drama. There are millions of fans of the genre. Maybe some of these highly paid suits who are so well regarded can exercise some brain power and devise a strategy to answer viewers, accountants, creative types, and corporate leaders.
Why not a mix of news, information, drama, and contest? Is it really that difficult?
No background in soaps, it’s audience, or scripted shows. Very worrysome, especially since I’ve moved over to CBS between 1-2.