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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”

Photo: NATAS

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.

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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.

Last edited 9 months ago by Harry

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.

Last edited 9 months ago by Ed Simonelli

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

Days Of Our Lives

Deidre Hall to Guest Star on Season 3 of Comedy Series ‘Hacks’

Days of our Lives star Deidre Hall (Marlena) is set to play a version of herself on third season of Hacks. Look for Hall this month in an episode titled “The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular,” to air on May 23 on Max.

Not only will Hall appear in the episode, but so too, will Back to the Future and Taxi star, Christopher Lloyd.

According to EW.com, Deidre will play “a fictional version of herself, who just so happens to be the mom of Paul W. Downs’ Jimmy.”

Photo: JPI

Hacks co-creator and Downs’ wife, Lucia Aniello shared on Hall’s casting, “It made sense to us that Jimmy’s late father, a big-time manager, would have been married to an actress. When the idea for Deidre Hall came up, it just felt right.”

As for Lloyd, he will portray, reclusive writer Larry Arbuckle, who is to have had a rather famous grandfather. In the episode, Hall and Lloyd’s character intersect, which leads to onscreen sparks.

Photo: AP

“We had written some things that were flirty, but the chemistry was palpable,” says co-creator and series star, Downs shared. Hacks stars Jean Smart as comedy legend Deborah Vance.

Photo: Max

Season 3 of Hacks debuts on Thursday night May 2nd on Max 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.

So, will you be watching Deidre Hall guest starring on Hacks? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn

Some very intriguing casting news out of General Hospital. The ABC daytime drama has cast former Santa Barbara favorite, Lane Davies (ex-Mason Capwell), in the role of Fergus Byrne, an attorney who crosses paths with Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn).

According to TV Insider, Davies will make debut the week of May 22nd.  As soap fans know, together with the aforementioned Grahn, they created the Santa Barbara supercouple of Mason and Julia Wainwright. Davies portrayed Mason Capwell family from 1984 through 1989.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time in Port Charles for Lane. From 2002-2004 he played Dr. Cameron Lewis and also shared on-screen story with Grahn.  At that time Davies, played Xander Smith’s father.

Photo: NBC

GH fans are wondering about the last name of Davies new character, “Bryne”. If you recall, Alexis got herself involved with therapist Dr. Neil Bryne, who died when Harmony broke into Alexis‘ house and killed Neil by injecting him with opioids.

Photo:

Taking to her Instagram, Grahn shared her excitement at the upcoming on-screen reunion with Davies, “It never gets old. We do 😂…. but it doesn’t 😍. Lookin’ forward to another romp.”

So, what do you think about Lane Davies returning to GH to play an attorney in Alexis’ orbit? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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News

One Life to Live Alum Jonathan Groff Receives 2024 Tony Award Nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical

Nominations were announced on Tuesday for the 77th annual Tony Awards by previous winners, Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline Williamson, One Life to Live) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

When the dust settled it was Stereophonic (which is loosely based on the story of Fleetwood Mac) and Hell’s Kitchen (Alicia Keys musical) that both scored 13 Tony nominations to lead the pack.

However, Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along made quite the comeback and is nominated for several awards including Best Revival of a Musical and for one of its stars, Jonathan Groff (ex-Henry Mackler, One Life to Live).

Courtesy/Playbill

Groff is nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and will go up against Brody Grant — The Outsiders, Dorian Harewood —The Notebook, Brian d’Arcy James — Days of Wine and Roses and Eddie Redmayne — Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.

In addition to his previous Tony nod for his role in Hamilton, Jonathan was nominated for a Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Melchior Gabor in the original production of  Spring Awakening.

Jonathan co-stars in the revival of Merrily We Roll Along “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe and previous Tony winner Lindsay Mendez.

Back in 2019, Groff visited Live with Kelly and Ryan and discussed his debut on One Life while working at night on Broadway in Spring Awakening.

He shared on his experience on the soap, “I do remember my first day because I was doing Spring Awakening on Broadway at the time, and One Life to Live was my first time ever being on TV.  So I got this offer, and I was like, ‘Yes, I would love to be in a soap opera,’ and we finished Spring Awakening at 11:00 p.m. and I woke up the next morning at 4:0 a.m. to walk uptown to go to do One Life to Live, and I called my agent and left a message, and I said ‘You have to get me out of this, I can’t wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning!'” You can watch the clip below.

The 77th annual Tony Awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, June 16, with Tony and Oscar winner Ariana DeBose returning to host for the third time.

So, rooting for Jonathan to take home his long-awaited Tony Award after several decades in the theater? Do you remember him as part of teen scene on OLTL? Comment below.

 

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