News
Eileen Davidson Talks Auditioning for ‘General Hospital,’ Love of ‘Ryan’s Hope’ and High Praise for B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang
Two-time Daytime Emmy winning star, Eileen Davidson shared many tidbits about her life on and off screen in the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart that dropped today on Tuesday, May 5.
Davidson best-known for her enduring role as Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless, the OG Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks of Days of our Lives, has also been featured in the cast of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, played Ashley on Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful and was a recast Kelly Capwell on the critically-acclaimed Santa Barbara. All that, plus numerous other TV, motion picture and book projects along the way.
Doing a deep-dive on Eileen, with Eileen, Budig and Rikaart hit upon some interesting moments in her career and upbringing. First, as it turns out, Eileen had a favorite soap opera growing up … and it was none other than ABC’s Ryan’s Hope.
Photo: CBS
Davidson shared, “I moved in with my sister when I was 16, 17. I was her nanny when she had her kids, and she was in love with Ryan’s Hope. So, she got me hooked on Ryan’s Hope, and by the way, Ryan’s Hope was brilliant. The whole cast was incredible and the writing. That was the show my sister watched. I would come home from school because I would be done by noon and we’d watch that together.
GENERAL HOSPITAL MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOAP HOME
Before becoming Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1982, Davidson professed she was going out for many roles on ABC’s General Hospital. Eileen explained, “I had been auditioning for General Hospital, constantly. Marvin Paige was the casting director at the time. He was an incredible casting person, the kind that would call you at home and tell you to come in the day before and he’d work on (the audition) with you. He was very gruff. He was very scary, but he would work on it with me. He really wanted me on that show.”
“It was during the whole Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) thing,” Eileen recalled. “I believe right before Demi Moore (ex-Jackie Templeton) came on, or right around that time, and he was really trying to get me on that show.” Davidson clarified that she believes the roles she did audition for at GH, are not characters that are currently still on the show, but back when she auditioned were, “big ones at the time.” Next, Eileen shared she landed the role of Y&R’s Ashley.
Photo: JPI
KATHERINE KELLY LANG – THE QUEEN OF B&B
Back in 2006, Eileen exited The Young and the Restless, only for Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, B&B) to bring the character of Ashley Abbott from Genoa City to Los Angeles and the world of The Bold and the Beautiful. While, there, Ashley shared a story with Ridge (then Ronn Moss) and worked with original star series star, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke).
“When I went over there, that show was so terrific. It’s a dream to work on,” recalled Davidson. “It’s a beautifully produced show. I worked with Kelly, who was lovely. She’s a lovely person to represent her show. She’s amazing, she really is. I don’t know if everybody knows that about her. She handles that mantle beautifully. She’s very welcoming. (One time) she invited all the actresses to do a cooking thing at the Four Seasons in Westlake, and we made butternut squash soup!”
Now below, watch Eileen’s sit-down chat with Rebecca Budig (Taylor, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS) on the latest edition of Soapy.
Then let us know, would you have loved to see Eileen on GH? If so, what role? What do you think Eileen being a big fan of the critically-lauded Ryan’s Hope? Did you enjoy Ashley’s jaunt to The Bold and the Beautiful? Let us know in the comment section.
She could still go to GH… Maybe as an evil Cassidine offspring… just for a story arc.
James
I always appreciate your insights, but I’ll have to disagree with you here. GH often struggles to write for their women over 60 – when was the last time Felicia had a real storyline?
I doubt Eileen would leave the Sony universe where’s she had a home (Y&R, DAYS) for decades.
Agree with you. They don’t write for Kristina “Felicia”, Lynn “Lucy”, Finola “Anna”, Genie “Laura”. They only seem to integegrate Alexis and Tracy and have them drive story.
I know Eileen Davidson has spoken a few times about auditioning and possibly joining General Hospital and what a change that would have been for her. She is a rich talent that would really bring a lot of dynamics to the soap around the times she was poised for joining. But I could not imagine her never being Ashley Abbott. She was born to play that role. And I’m glad they did touch upon her time on Santa Barbara, even temporarily.
At that time I can only think she auditioned to be Holly Sutton or Celia Quartermaine.
Since she’s blonde she might have auditioned for the short lived role of “Laura Templeton”. She was Jackie’s sister but actually in Port Charles before Jackie. She didn’t stick around long but since she slightly resembled Laura Spencer and had the same first name, somebody thought there might be a connection… something about women disappearing in the fog or whatever it was. Fuzzy Devil Memory and 45 years ago, I’m sure I’m forgetting the details
That part eventually went to Janine Turner who later became famous on “Northern Exposure”.
I would love to see her on a short term role on GH!!! Eileen is a great talent and a wonderful actress. Just imagine what they could do with her in Port Charles!!!
Fabulous!
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
-
General Hospital4 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News5 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
