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Corbin Bernsen Reflects On The Passing Of Jeanne Cooper One Year Later!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Today was a hard day for many of us in the soap industry who came to know and love the beloved Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) of The Young and the Restless. A year ago on this date, Jeanne passed away at the age of 84 leaving behind millions of fans and legions of friends.
Jeanne’s son, Corbin Bernsen reflected on his mother’s passing a year later with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan, where it was also revealed that Corbin will return to Y&R and continue carrying on the torch when Father Todd returns for a not-so-happy occasion. Here are a few excerpts from Corbin on how he has coped with the loss of his incredible mother!
Corbin on the feelings the anniversary of Jeanne’s death brings up: “I can’t lie. It’s really tough. This year has been very challenging, enlightening and exhausting — especially hard in these last few days leading up to the anniversary. My mom was the center of my support system, that place I always went to talk things through, whether I was feeling joy or fear. She was always there with a huge, open heart and the best advice. (Laughs) She could quickly cut through all of your bulls–t! She knew the difference between real concerns and imagined ones, and she had this wonderful healing presence. Her touch literally made me feel better. And, God, how I could use some of that right now! Twelve months later, I’m still grieving for her.”
Corbin on going back to do a stint on Y&R and how it helps keep him connected to Jeanne’s work life: “I got a wonderful note from (Y&R associate producer) Josh O’Connell telling me that the special tribute episode that the show did for my mom has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, and that just feels so incredible! So does going back once again to play Father Todd. This time I’m doing four episodes, working with Doug Davidson (Paul) and Lauralee Bell (Christine), which my mom would have loved. She adored them. I really like keeping this link to the show, because it’s also a link to my mom’s fans.”
Share your thoughts below missing Mrs. C and the Jeanne Cooper one year following her death, and what did you think happens that brings Father Todd back to Genoa City?
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
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Wow time flies, I miss Jeanne Cooper so much.
Hard to believe its been a year already…im not a regular watcher(only occasionally) but i can tell the show hasnt been the same without Jeane Cooper! Meanwhile, i always thought the actor playing Stitch resembles Corbin Bersen who i think shouldve played his father!!!
I feel for Corbin Bernsen because the first year after a loved one dies might always be the hardest.Plus the fact that Mother’s Day is this Sunday might make it even tougher.Plus him going back to Y&R might be helpful because he’ll be around people who knew and cared about his mother too.
We all miss her.
I miss Jeanne Cooper. She was the heart of the show.
I have been watching Y&R since its inception in 1973. I loved watch Ms. Cooper portray Katherine Chancellor every day for 40 years. It was one of many things that my mom and I did together. When I got home from work, she would call me to tell me what had happened on Y&R and then on the weekends I would go over to her house and me, mom and dad would watch the tapes together. Yes! Dad was a devoted fan of Y&R as well!
It was heartbreaking when Kiro7 Seattle broke into regular programming to announce that Ms. Cooper had passed. I looked over at my mom laying in her hospital bed that we had for her in her apartment and just bawled like a little baby not knowing that just 2 short months later, I would lose my BFF as well! I know how Corbin feels about grieving a year later for his mom. My mom was also my support system. She was always my go-to person in any situation. She also had the uncanny ability to cut through all the bull and get to the heart of each problem. I miss her soooooo much each and every day! Her 1 year anniversary will be July 25th. God speed Corbin, Caren and Colin…Your mom is looking down over you…
The one thing network exec’s and ratings grabbing writers forget is the heart and soul of the daytime drama is connection. The connection we make with those on the screen and those in our lives we share those stories with. Thank you for sharing your story of connection. God bless you.
Oh, we miss Jeanne Cooper and Katherine Chancellor. And the style and drama and emotion the women — one real, one fictional — brought to the drama. The show is not the same these days for many reasons but this is one that unfortunately cannot be reversed. I lost my mom six years ago and it is always difficult. But how lucky for the Bernsens that they have so much of their mother’s work to enjoy and to celebrate when they miss her. And how lucky are we that they were generous to share their mom with many fans who truly respect her.
I SO agree with your post Iakovos and sorry about your mom.
Jeanne Cooper and her portrayal of Katherine was mesmerizing.
JEANNE COOPER WAS THE HEART OF THE SHOW…..IT HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE SHE LEFT AND NEVER WILL BE…. ALL OF HER FANS MISS HER .. LOVE TO HER FAMILY….
Corbin.
You don’t have to be on Y&R to maintain a connection with the fans. You and your MOM will always have a place in our hearts and minds.
Each time when the episode airs with scenes from Mrs. C’s estate, the name her loving friend BFF, Ester V gave her, I always think that she’s still alive and in the series, just somewhere on the estate grounds, or at the office, I find myself missing her all over again. having had to meet and greet the living legend, Ms. Cooper, she was a beautiful, spiritual,majestic, the most gracious actress who truly loved her fans, and was genuine, the real deal. The show withstanding will never be the same, without her, but her presence in the story line will continue………….light a candle in her honor this Mother’s Day in tribute and honor for her.
You said it beautifully…a candle in her honor…that’s perfect!
She was the true QUEEN of daytime. She was so kind…sassy at times, but always there for her family, friends, and fans. I will never forget her…never!
Catherine Chancellor has been a household name for 3 generations in my home! She was so beautiful back in the day in all that hollywood glam era. *RIP Jeanne copper*
Opps *Katherine!
Mr. Corbin Bernsen…your reflecting and all (one year later) on your mom’s death is so beautifully heartfelt. My mom passed away from cancer over 10 years ago (on November 6th, 2003). Corbin…I miss my mom more and more each day. Yet…the more that I remember my mom (humor and all), the less sad that I am each day. And talking about my mom (a lot) keeps me more and more saner. Corbin…dude…you will ALWAYS be an A+ CLASS ACT in my book!!!!! Most of all, I feel like our moms are keeping an eye on us from up above…24/7 and beyond. Amen.
Take care, Corbin. Peace.