Connect with us

News

13

Colleen Zenk Joins the Cast of The Young and the Restless

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: CBS

The much talked about Aunt Jordan on The Young and the Restless is actually someone known and loved to soap opera fans.

On the Friday, November 17th episode of the CBS daytime drama series, it was revealed that Aunt Jordan is being played by Colleen Zenk.

Daytime fans know Zenk best from her role as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns. Colleen portrayed the once heroine-turned-bad-girl from 1978-2010.

Photo: JPI

On ATWT, Barbara and her ex-husband, the evil James Stenbeck (the late Anthony Herrera), provided plenty of drama in Oakdale and beyond. In addition, one major story had Barbara left scarred and disfigured from an explosion, and as ATWT came to a close, she found love again with Henry Coleman played by Trent Dawson.

During her ATWT run, Zenk was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series three times: 2001, 2002 and in 2011.

Photo: JPI

Now that Colleen has made her Y&R debut, it’s clear that Aunt Jordan has an axe to grind with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), and has Claire (Hayley Erin) wrapped up in her plot  Just how vengeful and vicious will Jordan and Claire get? It’s pretty horrific what comes next.

Zenk spoke to PEOPLE about her plum new soap role and working with the cast at Y&R.  Colleen shared, “I just can’t get over how loving everyone has been to me. In fact, I kept crying the first couple of days. It was just so overwhelming. I really didn’t expect it. I’m a New York actor coming into their show. It’s not my show, it’s their show and I just didn’t know how they would respond.”

So, what do you think of the casting of Colleen Zenk as Y&R’s Aunt Jordan? What do you think the back-story is with Aunt Jordan and Nikki? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.  But first, check out the moment from Friday’s Y&R marking Zenk’s debut.

13 Comments

13 Comments
oldest
newest

Rare these days for soaps to keep a move like this under wraps, but I sure as hell was surprised and delighted to see CZP on screen. This plot line had no buildup and feels wildly out of left field, but looking forward to seeing CZP and MTS play off one another!

I agree It is nice to see one of my faves from ATWT back in her element. I am looking forward to seeing how this plot is going to turn out

Wonderful news

BARBARA!!!!
This is a wonderful surprise and might be the jolt to get Y and R off of life support!!!
Colleen is fantabulous!!!

Now I will start watching Y&R, she is one of daytimes best

Neat!

Oh, I’m thrilled more than I can say to see Colleen Zenk again, after all the wonderful years she gave us on ATWT. I just wish she wasn’t going to be playing an evil part, but it is something she does so well. I’m not even going to guess what she’s up to, just know we won’t be disappointed.
Coincidentally, on today’s GH it looks like her son Paul, Roger Howarth might have been killed off. They played a formidable mother and son duo on ATWT.

When I saw Colleen come out of where she came out of, my jaw hit the flow AND then I jumped up from my chair with glee! I’m so thrilled to see her back on screen. Welcome back to daytime Colleen! Definitely looking forward to what Jordan is up to!

Me too, Michael! Talk about an early holiday gift… Barbara, Lucinda, and Carly were my faves on ATWT. Can’t wait to see how Nikki will blame her abduction on Adam, with Victoria and Nick singing along in their demented, redundant chorus.

I could hear the music from As The World Turns as she walked in. Colleen Zenk will always be a daytime legend in my book. Hope she gets good material on Y&R. Welcome back! Just need to see Kim Zimmer of GL and Susan Lucci of AMC come back and the soap world would be an even better place.

I loved her as Barbara Ryan on ATWT.and her son, Paul and her sister, Frannie; not so much her ex James Steinbeck !

Can’t forget the zaney Henry Coleman whom she married in the end.

It’s about time for Y&R, my fave soap to keep the viewer in suspense. Is this the nurse who took care of baby Eve?

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

Published

on

By

Stacy Keach and Cynthia Watros

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.

In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.

Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC

In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.

STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING

Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”

She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”

Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”

Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)

Published

on

By

Ambyr Michelle

Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.

Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.

But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?

Ambyr Michelle

Photo: CBS

LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING

Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.

Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”

This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”

Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”

Photo: ABC

A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY

When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”

As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”

You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.

So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

Published

on

By

Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

13
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x