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Doug Davidson Cleans Out His Dressing Room at The Young and the Restless and Shares, “It Was Sad for Several Reasons”
Over the last few years, Daytime Emmy-winner, Doug Davidson (ex-Paul Williams, The Young and the Restless) has been very vocal on how he had been the longest-running actor in the cast, how he had been bumped to recurring status, and then how he was never utilized again.
Davidson began his Genoa City run back in May of 1978. In the early spring of 2021, a longtime Y&R fan noticed that Doug hadn’t been on Y&R since an episode that aired back in November 2020. That’s when he tweeted, “I think I am done. After 43 years, I am treated like a day player. No bueno.”
Fast-forward, after lack of communication with the Y&R brass, and his social media updates on how he felt the CBS soap had disrespected him, to Sunday, July 23rd. Now, Davidson tweeted what would appear to be closure on the matter. For Doug, had gone back to CBS Television City last weekend and gathered what was left of his time Paul Williams.
Courtesy/CBS
Doug shared, “Well, I cleaned out my dressing room a week ago Saturday. Yes it was sad for several reasons. 1. It was my home for over 40 years and it was like a ghost town. ‘Price’ has left, and the new owner of TV City isn’t really keeping it up. The sets were all small and a bit tired.”
After receiving an outpouring of support from fans, Doug added in another tweet, “Thank you all for all the kind messages! Sending lots of love right back to you all!! And of course I’m eternally grateful to Bill and Lee Bell and CBS for EVERYTHING.”
To clarify, what Davidson was referring to in his tweet. The Price is Right is moving to new production digs for its fall season in Glendale, California called Haven, while another CBS game show, Let’s Make a Deal, will also make the move to Haven. The show has been currently shooting episodes in Sylmar, California. Both shows used to shoot at CBS TV City where Y&R and B&B are currently taped.
So, what do you think about Doug Davidson finally clearing out his Y&R dressing room? From the sounds of it, this just reemphasizes, that the character of Paul Williams will not be part of the on-screen canvas.
Well, I cleaned out my dressing room a week ago Saturday. Yes it was sad for several reasons. 1. It was my home for over 40 years and it was like a ghost town. Price has left, and the new owner of TV City isn’t really keeping it up. The sets were all small and a bit tired. ☹️
— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) July 23, 2023
Question – Why is Josh Griffith still there???? Totally shameful!
After almost 3 years, it’s kind of surprising it wasn’t cleaned out earlier. Be weary of biting the hand that feeds you. GH has recurring veteran actors heavily involved in storylines (right now Wally Kurth, Lynn Herring). Shame Y&R can’t adjust.
And Tristan Rogers, who was once THE leading man. He was a super soap star. Tristan understood that the torch had to be passed and he he wanted to continue working. Davidson sounds like an immature prima Donna.
Doug was on recurring status and most likely receiving money from CBS so the dressing room would remain his? but recently he was let go so———-
dunno..
Recurring performers only get paid for episodes in which they appear. He would not have received any money since 2020.
There is something going on here that is bigger than any of us know. The fact that Paul was not brought back for the 50th when his daughter and granddaughter were is very telling. We have NO knowledge of what went down … we have no idea who is at fault. This show has a long history of firing people for backstage dramatics … Brenda Dickson as Jill, Victoria Rowell as Drucilla … Michael Muhney as Adam…now this. Doug Davidson seems like a nice chill guy like his character Paul was but who knows. We have NO idea what goes on backstage and which bridges have been burned. For the show to just so willingly wipe a beloved character like Paul from the canvas … that says that Doug himself may have been the problem.
Indeed, we do not know what happened; it’s such a shame that someone who was with the show over 40 years had to leave on bad terms. Someone posted on a board that she read he was invited to attend the 50th but declined to do so. Who knows.
I agree 100%! We only know his side of the story so of course his fans are going to jump to his side/defense…IMO, talking $hit about the show isn’t the wisest thing to do, especially if you want your gig back. Whatever happened behind the scenes that the general public isn’t privy to probably is a totally different bowl of soup then the one he’s serving. Imjustsaying…
I agree we don’t know the full story; there’s no way we could, of course. But to offer another perspective on the same theme: For 40 years an actor gets along fine with all sorts of PTB (including some notoriously difficult ones), and then TPTB change and the incoming ones can’t work with him? That suggests that current PTB may be the problem, not the actor. (I’m not saying that that’s necessarily the case, mind you, just that I can come up with an equally plausible scenario in which the same logic points to a different culprit. Most of the time, we never really find out/know for sure, even years later, what went on in situations like this one.)
I will point out that Sony seems willing to let the producers have their way in cases like this; they apparently let JFP drive Michelle Stafford away (and Billy Miller too), although there again, it’s hard to know exactly what went down.
It’s because he is a conservative and the brass are super liberal.
Then how do you explain Christian LeBlanc ( Michael Baldwin) and Greg Rikaart( Kevin Fisher) being put on reoccurring status? They’re both ultra liberal. There’s a whole litany of actors from Y&R being put on reoccurring status and most of them are liberal. It’s not politics it’s just the current status of the soap genre.
I agree the sets look a bit tired.
Y&R is bursting with millionaires and billionaires, belonging to a high fortune 500 high list, and yet, only 3 main families have homes/mansions of one small room lol..
GH– most all have homes and BIG room(s)..the GH hospital is huge as are the other establishments….
Y&R sets are tinny, usually a small room..
Newman mansion…A table with a chess game..a couch, a coffee table, a fireplace, and Victor’s chair all squished into a very small area….aha that’s it for a multi-billionaire’s mansion lol
GH apartment’s living rooms are huge in comparison to Victor’s mansion’s tiny living room..
Plus, the Quartermaines have multiple sets:
– Foyer/stairwell/living room
– Den/terrace
– Kitchen/patio
– Solarium (new)
– Gatehouse
– Stables
– Boathouse/dock
And that beige hotel room Sally is always in has seen more action than Grand Central Station. It’s the same damn room being used for Sally, Adam, Phyllis, Victoria, Nate, Summer and where Michael and Lauren spent their anniversary. I know I’m missing someone. When Victoria and Nate were naked in bed, I fully expected Sally to pop up from the covers.
If there is bad blood between show and star, ok… but don’t just let the character evaporate. That is poor storytelling. I think Paul Williams can be vital as a recurring character. I would accept a new actor in the role although I have enjoyed Mr. Davidson’s work through the years.
I loved Paul they need to bring him back especially with the Phyllis thing being revisited when she hit him and Cricket. He seems like a nice guy but who knows what he’s like behind the scenes.
I am sad and disgusted the way CBS and The Young and the Restless treated Doug Davidson. He was on the show for 40 years and was a faithful cast member plus he was a great actor. I watched him from the time I was 11. I hope that Bradley Bell will bring him to the Bold and the Beautiful and if not General Hospital needs to hire him. He would be a great addition to either show
Except we don’t know the actual details of how he was “treated” — or how he treated the show and its cast/crew — only what Mr Davidson has said. Y&R will not be able to comment on personnel matters for legal reasons so we will likely never know the actual truth. It seems odd he still had anything in his dressing room when he hasn’t been on the show literally in years. Finally, semi-related, the last thing General Hospital needs is another senior citizen in its cast. The vets on that show, and there are a lot of them, get plenty of air time for senior representation.
And it may very well be that Doug is Y&Rs Ingo, they are just quieter about it all around. Just speculating, btw.
the story lines are as tired as the sets. All they do is eat, drink and change high level jobs that always seem so readily available.
What a drama queen! He was offered the same deal as Laura Lee Bell, and she accepted it, and she’s still on the soap. It’s been five years. He needs to stop his bellyaching. No wonder he’s a MAGA.
Laura bell is the highest paid actress only because she is by their daughter! That’s bull and she isn’t a very good actress either!
Where are your resources coming from ” Pennywise” on highest paid actress.How ignorant.
Josh Griffith WAKE UP CBS/SONY get rid of this idiot – he’s had runied this show, I am sure Bell’s are turning in their graves.
Why does CBS keep him?
Letting Doug Davidson go after 40yrs is shamefull, CBS shame on you, but you keep Josh Griffith there with the storylines that are repeats that NO BODY CARES about seeing.
We need Gina G back, we need fire on the show, its boring!!!
The Phyllis vs Diane we’ve seen this before its’ old. Who cares……..
A show that has lasted this long will be buried soon!
Agree 100 percent
I agree.
Doug had 43 years–
Nothing lasts forever…
Is Y and R studio moving also? Where?
I think he would do real well at General Hospital . They should create a character for him there.
Missed you, “Paul”—one of my favorite characters, who unfortunately was given a heavy burden to bear—Sainted Holy Christine—
While the writers are waiting for David to clean out his dressing room, they should clean out Sharon’s character and bring her up to speed to this century. Mama bear should look for a Papa bear to lay-herself-down…..Not bear cubs!!
This is not only stupidly redundant but also disappointing. I feel that Summer and Chance had vibes between them. All Sharon has is probably more experience in the boudoir.
I did not feel the sexual tension between this mother-and-son kind of relationship—Gimme a break!!
PS—To be fair? The Nick and Sally “saga” is just as pathetic.
I actually like Adam with Sally—-Everyone has slept with each other over and over—-and the discordant best goes on—
I know I’ve said this before—all remaining soaps should just get one big gigantic bed and have all the characters share it. Nothing original . Nothing inspirational.
Haha really!!
Real total crap…not even an exit story from an actor who gave decades to the show.. Y&R has the worst environment out of all the soaps. This nver would have happened if Bill Bell had been there still helming the show. That man has to be turning in his grave seeing how his legacy is being shown today.
It is not the same show DD had some great storylines over the years . Enjoy your retirement Doug.
Except Doug Davidson didn’t “give decades to the show.” It’s not a charity. He was paid for his work — and he was extraordinarily fortunate to have a steady paycheck for decades in an industry where job security is fleeting at best.
We don’t know what actually went down behind the scenes, but Doug was vocal in publicly criticizing the show and that’s a big no-no not only in showbiz but most businesses where employees are not allowed to talk poorly about their employer.
And Bill Bell was all about bringing in new generations, new families and knowing when a character had run its course, so I’m not sure it’s fair to speculate on how he would have handled this.
The problem started when the show offered him a recurring status and not a contract which has been happeing with many veteran actors on the soaps. He made his feelings very public and the show decided not to use him. Lauralee Bell and others accepted that offer and still appear on the show. He took a chance and thought he could win by criticizing the show in public and lost that battle. I also remeber the story of him physically attacking Nelson Branco at an awards event.
I’m sure the decisions made on actors and set are all because of the bottom line. Money. Years ago the budget was limitless, now, their budgets have tight purse strings, and they’ve cut down on everything and anything they can.
I’ve watched you from day 1, it pretty hard when some people leave, and ar no longer cast on the show.youu are greatly missed, I pray you find some comfort, being with your wife and your new journey in life.., Not forgotten.
I thought Doug did an excellent job and should have been on the show more than what he was really is going to be missed bad mistakes CBS
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
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Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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