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CHRISTMAS DAY: Y&R Serves Up Special Holiday Episode!
After you have opened all your Christmas presents, make sure to turn on the TV and get a gift from the number one soap, The Young and the Restless.
Airing on December 25th, Y&R has a very special holiday episode on tap. In this standalone installment featuring many of your favorites from Genoa City. the show is divided into four vignettes each themed after a classic Christmas song. Featured in the four stories are: Sharon (Sharon Case) and Mariah (Camyrn Grimes), Hilary (Mishael Morgan), Billy (Jason Thompson) and Phyllis (Gina Tognoni), and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott).
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
From encounters from Christmas past and being reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, get ready for love, drama, and some emotional heart.
So, will you be checking out the episode on Xmas day from executive producer, Mal Young as a gift to the fans? Comment below!
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Reflects on Dante’s Guilt for the ‘Atrocity’ That Happened to Michael Which Kept Everyone From Telling Him the Truth About Rocco (Exclusive)
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General Hospital2 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
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The show is awful right now. Mal’s changes have not improved on the drab Sally year. 12/22 episode was embarrassingly juvenile from Bill’s undies to the Ashly/Jack feud and slap.
So, no! I won’t be tuning in. I watched since Mal’s writing started and it gets worse by the day. Sad!
I watched and this week is the last for Y&R for me and just like Tony said, it’s geting worse by the day since Mal took over head writing duties…
Probably will watch…no Christmas for us that day due to family illness so i will have plenty of time to watch tv!!!
I look forward to the episode, all except one stinky snag, ‘Philly,’ yuck. Does anyone get a complete wave of nausea like I do the way they try to sell this couple as legitimate and likable considering the origins of their union? So many people had to be hurt deeply to get this couple together, and it did the characters themselves no favors. As much as I adore Jason Thompson, this current Billy has gone from reckless self sabotaging person who has a heart to a heartless, selfish bastard who would sell out his own mother (or even his sibling’s mama) to make a buck! Somehow this piece of trash is considered a ladies man when he has the sensuality of a drunk frat football player. Nobody is hot enough to put up with that much eventual babysitting, enabling and heartache that follows trying to be in a relationship with him.
On the other hand we have Phyllis, who I was almost ok with until again, this unholy union, which seemed soapy on paper but cringey as all hell to watch. Not to mention Phyllis’ growth has all been shot so she can regress back to her lowest self, a desperate woman who will do anything to keep a man that can’t seem to put her first, and is visibly jealous of the mother of his children and gets mad every time they are near each other, which was daily because they worked together and co-parented very closely and had residual attraction that never fully seems to go away. So she leaves Jack to be with his brother and somehow now Jack is ok with this yet they are still so disrespectful they give full displays of PDA on his desk? There are a few fans that even love this union, but only think it’s justified because it’s apparently more visually appealing due to her being closer in age to Billy than Jack? They never would have dared done this with the original Phyllis, or the previous Billy, but now with different actors I’m supposed to stomach this junk. On top of that Hillary looks to be veering toward Cane and he’s all forgiving of the many, many ways she has continuously hurt Lily and his family directly and indirectly? To add more insult to injury, they shove tacky Abby with Scott, who is acting like she deserves Scott when all she did was insult him, but a cheap roll in the storage closet is somehow supposed to be this amazing ‘opposites attract’ story? They made it mind numbinly obvious these two would have some kind of love/hate from the beginning, but why use Sharon as a vehicle for their ‘love?’ If this couple has to get their street cred by throwing Sharon under the bus after she opened her heart to this indecisive weird loser, then what kind of weight does that really hold, because this is now Abby’s second affair. Combined with the acting choices of Ms. Ordway that I never cared for, not only is she annoying and selfish, and self entitled, but a treacherous tramp who will even take her own niece’s man, so again, three characters in a story that is wasting everyone’s time because Scott is too new for anyone to care or justify that he was torn between the two. Sharon deserves better and I hope this is leading to a long overdue ‘Shick’ reunion, which might just be the reason this triangle is happening at all. I hate Chelsea and Nick together, just not feeling them as a couple, getting with her because she was one of the few single women he hadn’t been with yet. I would like to see character driven story that respects the soap bible the great Bill Bell and friends made and the previous writers stuck to and made the history and legacy the greatest strength of the show. Mal needs to read and respect that this show is NOT Eastenders or DR. Who, even though I love both. Stop trying to make your mark improving the set and adding recaps no daily fan needs, not even the new ones, and put your energy into making sure that the character’s actions make sense based on who they are, not who you would like them to currently be, Specifically Victoria, Ashley, Paul and Christine need more work, because overnight with a rise of power two female characters turn icy and suddenly start taking very old friends for granted and lovers too? Show us why that happened, not going to roll with overnight personality changes from a number one show. Paul and Christine are deeper than Keystone cops going after all the wrong people and hating Victor in such a personal way, and using Nikki, Tessa and whoever else to get him in jail for points at work? This is why I am scared of this Xmas episode but I will watch it and pray the rough edges are smoothed over soon.
((((Applauding wildly)))
Dante, thank you, thank you, and thank you for this post. You said it much better than I could have because I tend to get carried away with my opinion and fail to validate with factual evidence to back up said opinion. I also tend to always be in a hurry when I post in here.
Needless to say, I couldn’t agree with you more. Yes, Sharon deserves so much better. When slimy Scott slithered up to her in her coffee house, Sharon was working on obtaining her college degree and volunteering with a battered women’s hotline. She had become self actualized and happily independent without a man. I hate how Scott ingratiated himself into her life and it seems he did so just so he could move out of his mother’s house. What a creep. Then, on the very day he moves in with Sharon he lunges for that mouth breather Abby and plants a wet one on her. And of course since Abby always has her mouth open, any kiss on the lips turns quickly into a good old fashioned French kiss. Suffice to say, those two slime balls disgust me.
Same with Billy and Phyllis. Their sexual attraction seemed predicated upon carrying on their affair with the risk of being caught. Now that nobody seems to give a damn they are inventing new ways to be sexually risky because they know that if they just let the white noise supersede the excitement, they will look at each other and know they have nothing.
Both Phyllis and Billy are pushing forty and yet they are both stuck in arrested development. Moreover, and as you illustrated so well above, the way they start going at it in the lobby of Jabot in front of Jack, is not only the height of impropriety, it’s the height of insensitivity. Once upon a time, Jack thought Phyllis was the love of his life. And finally, speaking of Jack–with family members like his, who needs enemies? At this time one year ago, Jack was still reeling from the discovery of double betrayal (his brother having a torrid affair with the wife whom he adored) and yet his sisters kept admonishing him for not being more forgiving and welcoming Billy back into the Abbott home. One year later Ashely arranges for a secret meeting with the Jabot board members so they can oust Jack as CEO. Another betrayal from a family member. Yes, I get Jack was over taxed with the duties of CEO comingling with the full time duties of taking care of his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. However, there had to have been a better way to deal with this other than betraying Jack in such a hurtful way. “This cut is the unkindest cut of all.” (Antony, upon seeing Brutus’s cut in the back of Julius Caesar’s robe).
So now we have people like Billy and Ashely acting all angry with Jack for acting in such an un brotherly way without weighing in the circumstances which proceeded such behavior.
PS. Dante, in addition to Abby sleeping with her young niece’s husband, she also slept with Victoria’s fiance and live in boyfriend, Stitch.
Abby is morally challenged but presented as if she were some kind of heroine.
Dante and Harry…AMEN to what you’re both saying!!!!! To me, that Scott dude is nothing but an ANNOYING JERK!!!!! And HELL TO THE YEAH Sharon deserves WAY BETTER!!!!! As for that AIRHEAD Abby, she is such an EMBARRASSMENT and a total DUM DUM as a businesswoman!!!!!
Later.
Oh, dante….I guess you have not read any of my comments lamenting about Billy and Phyllis since day one!!!!!!
…..so glad to see my thoughts soooo vividly in print—-thank you. This couple is a turn-off!!
…keep comparing the two to original Phyllis and Ronan. WOW…their sexuality and sensuality left me breathless!!
I was never a fan of Jack….still turns me off. He is not a nice guy….never was. As far as insensitivity, you are right, of course….but, according to my grandmother, Jack is the worst of the worse when it comes to propriety. He slept with Jill while she was married to his father, John….what goes around comes around.
Let’s not forget the Ashley/Ravi fiasco. Really? She’s pushing sixty. Why do the PTB do this? Ridiculousness, pure and simple. There was no spark….have never witnessed such a bland, “unsexy” relationship on a soap—no stud, he!! … And she, as gorgeous as she is, is old enough to be his mother. It does not make me ageist, merely stating a fact.
Furthermore, what Jack did to Patty was shameful and callous. Nope; do not like Jack at all….and, the writers need to start writing him according to his age….about time. He is not a young man!!
These recent scenes are very disappointing, in that, the Abbotts always “worked” things out within the family circle……the facade/landscape has changed–drastically!!
One more thing……the Nick/Chelsea coupling is another vomit-inducing stomach-convulsing-experience. The tool-belt thing? C’mon…..can’t wait for Adam to return with bells on—
I do not like to step on my favorite soap; but, for the first time, I do not look forward to watching…..
Oh, Celia…about that Ravi dude, girl…you are SO RIGHT ON AS USUAL!!!!! To me, that Ravi dude is WAY TOO DORKY to be soap stud material…LOL!!!!! Furthermore, I think that Ravi is JUST AS ANNOYING as that ICKY CLOWN Scott!!!!! BEYOND BLECH!!!!!
Celia…you and your family have a WONDERFUL 2018!!!!!
Peace.
I noticed’
Christmas eve/day stuff is either , mourning, fighting , or overkill of sappy..
Watching them eat is no hoo hoo thrill or is the sniveling crying (enter Sam) ..
Some good old fashioned joyful cheer would be nice for a change, simply having fun together.
Crazy gifts, Dancing, Singing, Laughter, Happiness and a Prayer..
// soap christmases are a real downer.s …
— MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL LOVE AND PIECE —
0ohh I hope Santa will bring you all you wished for 🙂
PS.
I’m a Krampus fan !!
((went to the Krampus parade and party, great fun !!
What I was attempting to say but digressed away is that I have no problem with a regime change, especially when that change was someone who already has experience writing and usually does it well and supports character driven stories. History is key though, and a few characters deserve the rich writing from their full history, and not cheap sensational changes in their personality for no apparent reason immediately after a writer change and musical chairs with couples who have no business being together. Why not finally scratch that itch and put Hillary and Jack together? This immediately puts Hillary and Phyllis at odds again, which is sad because neither one has even a handful worth of friends, for obvious reasons. Lily and Nick is another possibility toyed with that would be fun to watch, instead of being with his apparently dead brother’s wife less than a month after said character’s death. That is too much even if Adam requested it, and they don’t have that chemistry that a couple needs in my opinion. This was made to keep Chelsea on the canvas and relevant when she could’ve left until they found a new Adam or gave her another guy that wasn’t her brother in law. Do musical chairs, but show us the play by play, don’t force it because it will show, and make sure the couples make sense and most of all CHEMISTRY! Sharon needs to cut off all these men with problems trying to get with her at the coffeeshop. She met Scott there, and she met Dylan there, and both are very f–ed up characters with weird relationship killing ‘quirks.’ Everything doesn’t need to be a triangle and there needs to be more couples I can root for who are equally good and healthy for each other, maybe a step down from a supercouple because I accept it ain’t the 70’s-90’s strongest period of power soap couples. If you wonder if the coupling you just made will end up in Soap opera digest’s ‘worst relationship’ section for the year than you are already off on the wrong foot and need to start from scratch. Let’s make some new viable couples like, say, Traci/J.T, which makes TOTAL sense to me or is at least worth a try and could help cement legacy characters permanently back on the screen if they would stay. I love Mariah and Tessa’s story but why does Noah have hurt to get there, unless you wanted not only Sharon to suffer but her kids as well? What next, Faith in a triangle? I like Reed and Mattie together and they can grow on me since they are young, half dumb (Reed is dumb enough for the both of them with his antics lol), but they need to move on from Vicki and Cane fighting. Oh…Victoria and Cane. I feel like that would be hot or worth a try and it would weird everybody out. In a year Mal says the soap will fully reflect his stories since he inherited most, so I’m giving him a chance since I trust his work mostly, but please make couples like Wyatt/Katie on B&B, two characters who really deserved someone who put them first and didn’t treat them like a dirty, secret side piece or second best. Give us couples that make each other better or want to be better, that meet and grow together and don’t have to be redeemed from the foul stench of an affair. Too much of that and it goes past soapy to smarmy. If I boo a couple when they come on and don’t cheer or go, ‘awww,’ then a mistake is being made. Go for supercouple and you can’t fail, my opinion.
Dante, another great post.
I just wish they could give Jack a love interest who doesn’t treat him like chop live favoring either Victor or his brother Billy over him.
Or another bat shit crazy woman who is obsessed with him like Patty Cakes or that character Cady McClain played.
I don’t see him with Hillary, she’s just too young, even younger than Phyllis and invariably she will run back to Devon.
Why not find some lost niece of Mamie’s who specializes in at home nursing care to take care of Dena? Then Jack and this woman could develop a real romance predicated upon love and empathy. Moreover, this person would strike an affinity with the Abbott history.
Doubt i will watch. While these standalone stories are sweet and usually change a character’s direction slughtly, the characters being shown arent the ones i want ro see. Billy once again with Phyllis? What is their drama and please stop showing us they love one another! We get it everyday! And its a cross between sweet and a cavity!
Nikki? Really, is she going to whisper her lines to the Katherine plaque? Whats her outcome unless she leaves Victor and goes to see Paul to work with him?!! Nikki to me is a waste of time right now.
Sharon n Mariah… isnt this standalone story years late? Whats their drama? Scott? Hes not even there and in over Sharon being sorry for missing xmas’ she didnt know she was missing since she didnt know she had a kid.
And Hilary… seriously, i love hilary but as of now she should be less in front of the camera for her shows and be more hehind the camera and become a powerful producer. Ive never thought the local drama of the GC patheticsnwas enough to be nationwide. Hilary whining abt being alone can only work if her mommas dead mom comes back to tell her SHE CAN ONLY CHANGE HER LIFE. And she will say once again i will run a better nicer show but once drama happens she covers it and friends n family hate her again.
Hi there I watch the Y&r ever day I wouldn’t miss it for the world me and my mom I would love to see Billy and Victoria get back together again that would be nice they belong togeter I would like to see Victor and Neckey get back together again b
You’re darn right I’ll be watching. Thank you, Mal, for giving the fans a new Christmas episode instead of running a repeat of former Christmas’s. Can’t wait. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to another year of Y&R. Make it good, Mal!
Yes, I will! Thank you Mal, actors and crew 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Looking forward to the episode. I am not a Scrooge; however, last Friday’s original Christmas episode was the worst ever in the history of Y and R Christmas shows. Aside from Charlie giving his dad that first place cross country medal, the show truly lacked warmth and heart– the staples of Bill Bell’s annual gifts to us. I hope the writers start thinking next September or earlier about redeeming themselves from what we experienced. To all the post’ers for Y and R: Merry Christmas!
Have to say we finally watched Dec 25 episode this afternoon (Tues) and enjoyed a much more welcoming, spirited, Christmas show! A little pretentious but so much better than Friday’s scream fest at the Abbotts.
Happy Holidays ~~ from Bend Oregon!
ABSOLUTELY….. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ‼️
I recorded it on my DVR early Christmas Morning…and I watched it late last night. Pretty powerful episode. I especially liked the scenes featuring Sharon and Mariah…and Sharon and Mariah talking about Cassie.
Later.
I loved the episode as well. I got a little misty when Sharon gave Mariah the snow globe. And I also felt sorry for Hilary. Maybe finding that letter will actually turn her into a human being again. All in all I think it was a touching episode.
You and I are pretty much in sync, Jay. I guess TPTB try something outrageous just to see where it goes….Ashley and Ravi, a prime example.
I’m glad they realized it was not an inspiring match ….carried nothing on its coattails….boring, boring, and more boring.
How many times have they done this? Coupling much, much older men with younger women? Never works.
Victor and Sharon, Jack and Phyllis, John Abbott and Jill etc.
…we’ll bear it, though, right, Jay?…..better this than no soaps, at all. Happy New Year.
I watched it last night and I really enjoyed it, it had meaning and wasn’t just some hokey Christmas show. Also it had most of my favorites, however I did miss the Abbotts.
Well, I enjoyed the attempt to humanize Hilary (again) but I have to say that a lot of it felt like filler to me. Billy and Phyllis don’t represent any warm, fuzzy holiday feelings I recognize. It made me appreciate some of the older specials when one character gets a showcase for a chance to turn their lives around. I still remember the 2009 episode when Billy got a chance to start redeeming his life. In the hands of wonderful Billy Miller it was very memorable for me. Others were strong also, like Michael’s and Victor’s. To each his own. Just glad we had a Christmas Day show at all!
I think it wasn’t intended to be anything other than fill – small stand alone stories with great Christmas spirit. I really enjoyed it and if I hadn’t watched it, I wouldn’t have felt like I missed something. I agree with you – I’m glad we had a Christmas episode! Happy New Year to you, Soaphound!
Oh, man, Soaphound…..love the way you have delineated Phyllis and Billy….”….don’t represent any warm, fuzzy holiday feeling”…..
Gee, their sexual, immature antics ( thanks to dis-associated writing) does not elicit thoughts of a cozy ambiance…..a couple, snuggling under a blanket, while enjoying the warmth radiating from the crackling, dancing flames of a fireplace……the beating “hearth” of the home…..LOL.
Happy New Year, y’all !!
When you have a talented cast and rich history like Y&R does, I don’t understand the need to try to hard with “special” episodes like this.
I completely agree
Somethngs not clicking with the show…Victor has become an outright villian. He no longer has any redeeming qualities. How come he hasnt checked in with Ashley about Dinah or her paternity. The two used to atleast care for eachother. The J.T / Abbey confrontation was embarresing. Christine, Paul, Lauren and Michael desrve more than to be just dummies for the Newmans and Abbots. The music and scene changes are awkward and cheap sounding. Theres no villian or suspense. Nick and Chelsea are gross and Scott cant hold a leading man role in a triangle.
I didn’t enjoy the episode.
What a BORING episode. I appreciate Mal wanting to do something different, something special. A “Christmas-y” Christmas episode. But man was that episode reeking of sweet, saccharine holiday cliches. All of it. Every part of it.
Christmas list Shick back never should they have broke them up SC &JM pure gold!!!!
Y&R is about to do a PSA on underage drinking involving Reed and sadly im not looming forward to it. Reed is the whiniest WEAKEST and DULLEST “cool kid” ever to comenonto the scbe in GC… that is even with comparing him with teenBILLY who was sooo nice it was sore to watch.
If Y&R wanted to do a good PSA Then have Christine throw the book at him due to backlash from the public thst shes doing the rich a favor while other young poorer kids get worse. Have it matter. Also, involve his former aunt Sharon and uncle Nick. Have them come down hard on the foolish teen over Cassie dying do to underage drinking. AND nikki confessing to Reed how her alcoholism cost a baby’s life and her family. Have Victoria finally treat the idiot like most parents would by yelling at him, telling others to mind their busoness when they call her out on it that hes a kid… have her say HE CAN DRIVE A CAR HE IS NOT A KID!! Have Victoria scream that hes a fool who thinks he can do whatever he wants. This is twice he risked lives – first breaking into the underground and then deiving under the influence.
Have Victor console the kid but tell him about all Nikki and Katherine lost and how much a hole is still left from Cassie’s death.
And then finally have JT stand up to the punk son for being spoiled and entitled!!! Have him tell Reed being a baby isnt flying thos time and he has to grow up.
Y&R and B&B have done PSA’s in the last that fall flat. There isnt follow up or the solution is simple and easy. jill had acid reflux and then a true heart attack and gave everything up and left the show. Why not show life can change but not be different?! B&B had Brooke make ip a story of a friend who died when she was a teen when her son n his gf were texting and driving and crashing a car instead of reminding him of how a character JUST the year before ran ocer a homeless person cause he was texting n driving. (Granted that PSA WAS ABT how to get awAy with murder if rich, instead of writing the character off to prison n showing there are real consequences to stupidity.
Plus, the teens on Y&R are from 1970s after school specials and sooo lame in actions, dress, speech etc. tome to recast Reed or cut his mess on his head, add a couple pf more teens and make their dtories real like when JT n Billy n Mac were on the show- well real in that the way rhey were written seemed real.
I don’t need PSAs on the soaps. Every now and then is okay, but not all the time. We’ve had the heart attack, which I thought was good, but they dropped the ball by sending Jill away. You don’t go on a cruise after a heart attack. Now we have Alzheimer’s, which is at least entertaining with Dina’s quips.
I think maybe Reed getting arrested was to give JT an excuse to stay, rather than leave. Maybe he’ll move in with Victoria (platonic) and they can double down on the parenting. And yes, JT does need to stand up to Reed. Tough love!!!! Instead of grounding him, make him get a haircut. I think that will really punish him! 😉
Quick thoughts..
Sharon & Mariah story was cute. Finally some real parent/child interaction between them.
The Hillary arc was just blech. You know she won’t become an open hearted person in the end. Which is fine because the show needs a villainess. So, I wasn’t buying her turn to goodness.
Though I am not a fan of Jason Thompson’s Bllly and not really invested in the Billy/Phyliss romance I also thought that arc at least had some humor and heart to it.
Ahhh, Nikki…. first I need to say that as in past episodes Genoa City has the best dressed homeless people I have ever seen. And, I can’t be the only one who thought …Why the hell is Nikki draping an obviously expensive diamond necklace over the plaque and leaving it there?? Maybe showing her selling it and donating the money to a homeless shelter would have made sense.
I will admit that the Christmas Day episode is the first I have live watched in months. I mostly keep up with the synopsis’ in Soap Opera Digest. When I do watch the episodes are weeks old.
I don’t buy Nick & Chelsea together and know it is only that the explosive secret of Christian’s paternity will blow them up is the reason for their pairing.
Unless they DO manage a 180 with Hillary it would be interesting to see she and Cane together. He and Lily are an absolute snoozefest. And, just for the hell of it…. I can’t stand that they aged Charlie & Matty.
Enjoyed the reviews. The depth of my thoughts, after watching the program, can’t begin to move into what was just quite quickly read. However, as a long-time viewer, one who has never bothered to see who was writing until the roof collapsed on the Underground, it never occurred to me to look at the important stuff like who was writing, producing, etc.
When Sally (knowing this only from you all) took over after the roof fell down on the Underground, the show felt into transition. What I noticed more than anything was the improvement in sets which moved more into the feeling of the past. Someone corrected me when I wrote one time saying the music was better. I believe he was accurate in that correction. However, the anger felt with the previous writer must have dissipated.
Have a sense of who Mac is. Had no idea another shift had been made. I did notice that this site had been bereft of comments for a long time so quit looking.
Picking up on a few of the comments: Ashley and Ravi — zero chemistry. If one were to develop a true May/December romance it requires much more nuance. Perhaps this will be a type of seldomly identified sexual abuse situation
Nick and Chelsea were understandably drawn together, but for the sake of the program it should never been allowed to progress so rapidly into a living together situation.
As one who has dealt with Alzheimer’s there is much appreciation in identifying the very subtle nature of the disease; normal for perhaps weeks, then a subtle lapse. One does not suddenly become incoherent, and each case is individual. The idea of a nurse entering the Abbot home to help and Jack becoming intrigued is interesting. Perhaps a good idea for a lot of reasons. Don’t forget the financial reason.
Jack is aging. I so hated the program when torture and so forth happened. For me, that destroyed Y & R for a bit. I recall Jack when Terry Lester was Jack. He isn’t recalled as a ladies man regardless of the situation with Jill in the cabin. Wish I could recall his business acumen.
It is truly difficult for the watcher when, overnight, a personality changes.
Mariah has been one of the most delightful actors to emerge and survive. The potential twist to her identity remains complicated. Whatever the writer does, take care of her. I can’t quite see Tessa’s role in the program, and I am not referring to the relationship.
I don’t want Sharon to be hurt anymore either. She should get her degree, perhaps sell the coffee house or open a couple of more. I know it seems she and Nick should always be together, but the chemistry almost seems lost. Nick seems used by the writers. He too is aging and needs a mature woman. What about Sharon?
If Nikki and Victor want to get together again — OK, who cares.
Hillary is one of the most flexible actors on the program. It surprises me she hasn’t been pick up elsewhere.
Oh yes, haven’t watched the Christmas program yet. A most Happy New year to you all. It was fun reading and writing this evening. Best!
Not sure if this was mentioned in a previous post. Why would the writers have Nikki leave a diamond necklace “hanging” in a public park to honor Katharine? A Christmas gift for a thief? smh.