News
CONFIRMED: The Meredith Vieira Show Cancelled … Another Talker Down!
Courtesy/NBC
Just after Christmas, On-Air On-Soaps posted an item about the rumors that the second season of The Meredith Vieria Show would be its last. Today it was confirmed after its failing ratings.
Meredith Vieria told Deadline in an statement: ” I am so sorry to see our show come to an end after this season, but I am also incredibly proud of the work our staff has done and forever grateful to our supportive viewers. We promise to spend our final weeks producing the best broadcast we know how. And have a blast doing so!”
As for Meredith’s next gig she is heading to Rio! After wrapping production on her talker how she will segue to work on NBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As to what happens now in the NBC daytime block to fill the void left by the departure of The Meredith Vieira Show, the NBC stations in four top markets, including New York and Los Angeles, are launching a 4 PM newscast, with the 3 PM-5 PM block of Steve Harvey and Ellen sliding to 2 PM-4 PM. (many other NBC stations already have a 4 PM local newscast.) NBCU Domestic TV Distribution has Harry launching in fall 2016, but the syndicated daytime variety show hosted by Harry Connick Jr. was sold to the Fox stations last fall.
So, what do you think of the cancellation of The Meredith Vieria Show? Isn’t time to just stop putting more talk shows on daytime folks?
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
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I did not know there was a Meredith Vieira Show ..
however-
I would like the slot to remain empty until they find something that would be at the least sorta interesting…….
Not another game or talk show, they really are not doing well and they are rotting minds.
Perhaps they should show webcams and then people can watch hamsters running on their wheels, or watch peoples bird feeders yah!
Su…I’m taking you last sentence as one of you tongue-in-cheek bits of humor. But it’s not too far from what they’ve been showing in my market…how about a guy and girl showing funny Youtubes.
Kill the talk shows before they kill the soaps!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bring on a new soap opera for sure
I would love to watch a brand new soap. And it doesn’t have to be on five days a week for an hour.
I would like to see a soap on Mondays and Fridays-the rest of the week a revived Match Game…
its true they could either run a soap for only a few days a week or use a half hour format and run a game show or something. There are definitely ways they can look to make it more cost-effective for the network. I would love to see another soap even if its just for a few days a week or in the half hour format.
Good Riddance!!!!
Personally, I like her. But I won’t mourn the demise of a chat show in day time.
daytime is too saturated with talkers. no talkers in recent years have been successes. all the shows that replaced OLTL have flopped
But it’s on mostly NBC affiliate stations.
YAY! Brian Frons fail! Yet they will try ANOTHER boring talk show. Cannot fathom why “The Chew” survives.
Brian Frons needs to be beaten up and tortured, for cancelling OLTL. and AMC. he is the most hated man, besides Donald Trump. lmao.
Yes you are right on that one my friend too
“Harry” Really????????????
Yes, it’s way past time to stop putting on more talk shows. Since they won’t spend the money for drama series, bring back afternoon cartoons for kids. Or reruns of “I Love Lucy” or “The Danny Thomas Show” or “Bewitched.” There is always updated versions of “Password”, “To Tell the Truth”, or “What’s My Line.” I”m sure many of the people following the board have never heard of any of these shows. So, they’d be new to them. Something other than another talk or cooking or life styles show or a judge show.
Harry Connick Jr.’s new show is in a variety show format, not a talk show.
I sincerely believe if there are going to be talk shows, put them on a talk network, food shows should go on a food channel, soap operas on a soap channel. And reality shows on a reality channel. That way, people could just watch what they want whenever, and the rest of us wouldn’t have to suffer! I don’t like the shows where all 5 women are trying to talk over each other all at once, nor do I like the shows where the men talk over each other all at once. I like Meredith Viera, but I don’t watch her show. And yes, I still say bring back All My Children…if not new episodes, start with the first show and play them straight through in syndication. Thanks!
I agree for the re-runs!! Why not?? Heck NbC could redo Sunset Beach all over again, i would watch!!
Viewers are tired of talk shows. I as a viewer want to get lost in a story and be entertained. Am tired of talk shows. Afternoons are my relax time before the kids get home and before getting dinner ready.
Have you tried sampling soaps from other countries? A few of them are available on Hulu while some viewable on niche channels on cable and digital subchannels, depending on where you live (and with English subtitles).
Coronation Street. Better than anything on in the U.S.
such a shame they couldn’t put a new soap in the timeslot or bring back older soaps we still hold near and dear to our hearts : Santa Barbara and Another World . Wouldn’t mind seeing these 2 get revived ! Are you listening and reading NBC ?
I’ve always enjoyed Meredith Vieira and, this past fall… her show was catching on to me a bit. I’d love her to return to The View to resume as Moderator but I doubt we’ll ever see that happen. NBC seems to be holding her tight. Meredith is a true gem!
Honestly unless it’s Oprah returning…. I never want to SEE
another daytime talk show again!!! They are ALL equally
hosted by ill informed, unprepared, SILLY, SILLY individuals.
Love Ellen, sorry! Far more genuine than Oprah!
This has to be good news for DOOL, the networks must realise how hard it is to replace soaps by now!
Except syndicated shows are not programmed by the networks themselves. At least as far as I know, their syndication arm does but whatever programming they provide to affiliates doesn’t really benefit the network, especially if said shows airs on competing affiliates of a rival network in the same TV market.
repeats – besty of soaps – from last 50 years..
this would be a ratings winner!!!
We all discussed this and laughed at the networks for not finding a answer for those dreaded soaps that people actually watched!
Question: Who the hell watches Steve Harvey?
Comment: Harry Connick Jr. would be great for daytime. He will succeed. The guy has is a mega talent who can talk to or interview any walk of life and be compassionate and make him or her interesting. He is handsome and funny. This will work and I will tune in. I predict he will be the male version of Ellen on daytime!
Harry will fail, he is very annoying. Bring back One Life To Live back.
Obviously I disagree with you about Harry but yes, I certainly would like to see a soap return but that lawsuit with Prospect Park has to be settled before OLTL OR AMC ever returns.
No, bring back Guiding Light!
I agree – bring back OLTL! And then immediately send Roger Horwath back there, and could he please take Michelle Stafford with him!
I agree that a new talk show is not the answer. there are too many and ABC talk shows have bitten the dust in the last few years. a newscast would be a better idea.
Meredith had a talk show?
The show was awful…bring back Access Hollywood, which at least entertaining….
When is the The View getting the Axe?
Not. Soon. Enough.
Remember when the View wasn’t afraid of intelligent and informed women? What Meredith left they began a disastrous descent into Stoopidville. (Hi, flat earth Sherri!)
Replying here…i like Coronation Street and it is better than what we have here…i keep thinking Callum is still alive and his mother knows it!
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE TAKE TIME TO SIT AROUND AND WATCH THESE NOTHING TALK SHOWS…THE WORST EVER IS THE VIEW AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED YEARS AGO BUT THE NETWORK PLAYS ITS FAVORITES. NOTHING AGAINST MEREDITH ,ONLY THE SHOW….. LETS GET BACK TO SOME NEW SOAP OPERAS FOR GOOD DAYTIME SLOTS…….I THINK A GAME AND TALK SHOW NETWORK SHOULD BE IN THE WORKS….
I’m so sick of the talk shows. Viewers should prove they care more about soaps by not supporting talk shows. Kill “The Talk” and “The View” before they kill another soap within the same network or competing networks!
I love Meredith, but her talk show really sucked. Put me too sleep lol.
Maybe NBC and Brian F could take the wasted money on these boring, never last, waste of time talk shows and develop writing programs for up and coming new soap writers….with the success of Hollyoaks, Eastenders and Coronation Street in the British soaps airing at night, I’m sure NBC could find some talent out there to produce at least a half hour soap, right????? So tired of these pointless talk shows and who wants another hour of “the News”? the world is bad enough without having to watch more news…we need some fantasy, comedy, romance, even if it’s only for half an hour…I would love to be writing for a soap….we need new writers, not the same repetitive writers that move from soap to soap…listen up, NBC…there are loyal viewers who would watch another soap….
Right on Scott H! If you really want to write for a soap maybe MF could let you know who to contact and how to “apply.”
I wish they would seize the opportunity to bring back Guiding Light, but not likely any soap will be revived nor will a new one be introduced.
I am very sad. This is the best talk show on daytime TV. I just found it a few months ago and I love it. The panel is smart and sassy and the topics are interesting. But it really is about Meredith. She is just real and genuine and like the rest of us. I hope producers will reconsider canceling the show.