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Erika Slezak Interview: OLTL Icon Shares Her Thoughts on Her Daytime Emmy Nomination & More!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

The one and only Erika Slezak found out her name was called this morning when the nominations for the 39th Annual Daytime Emmys were revealed!  And what a bittersweet moment this is for the six-time Daytime Emmy winner, who will now go for her record setting seventh win in the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her work as Viki on One Life to Live.

On-Air On-Soaps received a call from Erika this morning just shortly after the nominations were announced and she shared her reactions and thoughts and what she submitted that got her the nomination.  Plus,  she commented on OLTL’s Emmy snub for Best Show and Writing, and the DID storyline on GH where they have referenced Viki!

Here’s our chat with Emmy nominee, Erika!

Congratulations on your Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress! How did you find out you got the nod?

ERIKA:  I was a judge, so the Academy had sent me an email last week saying the nominations were supposed to be announced Friday, but now they will be announced sometimes next week. And then I had not really followed it, and then my daughter Amanda called me this morning, and she said, “Mom! Congratulations.”  So she figured it out and she was watching it on The Today Show.  So I was absolutely delighted it came from her.

Courtesy/ABC

What did you submit for the final round of voting?  It has to be the 40th Anniversary show! It was one of your greatest performances ever on OLTL!

ERIKA:  Yes.  I submitted my 40th Anniversary show.  I wanted to submit a different show that I just loved because it was so good and that was when Viki walked in on Charlie and Echo in bed.  But they split that into two shows, but we taped it as one show. There was so much material in it, so Frank Valentini said we are going to cut it into two shows.  I couldn’t submit it because it was not a full show.

But for the pre-nominations, didn’t you go with a two-minute piece from the episode where Viki walked in on Charlie and Echo at the motel?

ERIKA:  Yes, that is what I did.  Again had that been one show, I probably would have submitted that because there was so much in it and Brian Kerwin (Charlie) was so lovely and Kim Zimmer (Echo) was amazing.   So I submitted my show instead, which is just me! (Laughs)

What a tour de force watching you play, Viki, Niki and Jean.  The 40th anniversary episode was an actor’s dream show!

Courtesy/ABC

ERIKA:  It is an actor’s nightmare and dream show! (Laughs)  The nightmare part was playing all the different alters all together. Listen, I am not complaining.  I loved every second of it! But it was a great deal of work. The problem with doing that show was because we had two doubles, we had to shoot it as if it’s in Viki’s mind.  We had to have all three of us, (the three alters), and so I had to have doubles who would be playing the other characters. So when I would be playing Viki someone else would be playing Jean, and someone else would be playing Niki.  When I was playing Niki, someone else was playing Viki and Jean, and it was very complicated.  I had to know what I was going to do in order to react.  So I had to ask these ladies, “Please don’t do anything.  Just say the lines flat.  I cannot react to you, because I have to know what I am going to say.” (Laughs)  That was the only way I could react to them.  We started with Viki, and then Jean, and then finally Niki.  I was scared to death,  and it was shot out of order.  It was scary and thrilling!  I thank God for Larry Carpenter’s directing.  Frank Valentini was there overseeing everything as well.  I thank God for that, too.

It would be amazing if you were to win your record seventh Daytime Emmy for playing Viki and accept the award on the year when One Life was canceled!

ERIKA:  Yes, but we will see what happens.  I am just glad OLTL got a bunch of nominations and we will be there to represent the show!

So from here on out till June 23rd, will it be a nice time for you to enjoy this Emmy ride?

Courtesy/ABC

ERIKA:  I have made the reservation to Los Angeles with the family and we are going to have a whole week there and make it a vacation.  So that will be nice.  I am looking forward to it.

One Life to Live was left out, snubbed again, out of the Drama Series and Writing categories, in a year when there submission was great!  I am so disappointed!

ERIKA:  Me too!  I was very disappointed that One Life to Live, did not get a Best Show nod. I mean, c’mon.  There were only six shows.  It’s a damn shame.  And I am really sorry about that.  I know what they submitted and I thought it was great material and very different.

Have you checked in to see General Hospital lately and the telling of the Kate/Connie DID storyline?  And, how they mentioned Viki in it?

ERIKA:  No, but someone emailed me and went, “Oh my God.  Viki and Jessica wrote a book together about DID.”  I thought, “Oh no!  That would never ever happen.”  It was something so private between the two of them.  But anyway, it’s Ron Carlivati’s idea and he worked it in to GH, and that’s fine.   I am just waiting for my $25.00 dollars, for when they use a picture or photo likeness of you. (Laughs)

I believe that the Viki/Jess book referenced on GH was unauthorized and not authored by Viki and Tess, but I could see where it could have been interpreted that way!  (Laughs) Finally Erika, what do you think about the other ladies in your Emmy category?  Pretty great group!

ERIKA: I  know them all! They are all awesome. Every single one of them is a wonderful actress.  Laura Wright won last year.  Crystal Chappell, I think submitted an awesome tape and Debbi Morgan as well.  Heather Tom, who I dearly love, is always wonderful.  It will be great to be there at the Emmys with all of them.

What do you think of Erika’s Daytime Emmy nomination for her 40th Anniversary episode? Are you rooting for her to win?  Let us know!

 

 

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Damn skippy I’m rooting for Erika to bring home her 7th Daytime Emmy. I would love for Tony Geary to win his 7th as well. LOL.

Vick is the best-I don’t get Patrick w/idonelikevicki thing going on- He dosn’t obviously know whats good Vick wanna see you or Donna in a character soon?? please do I hafta beg now?! lov ya girl, please don’t go far-come back to show of your acting skills hioney!! .

Oh my god I love that woman, I want her to win so bad she deserves it, I hope we get to see her win, Along with robert woods and eddie alderson, it’s a shame that one life to live is not up for best drama series and writing, Im still trying to figure that out. But I love my Erika slezak and I want her to win, I miss vicki buchannan, and all the rest of the cast. In my heart they deserve the gold and I want her to win the 7th one.

You’re so right. Eat you heart out Susan Lucci

And your right to about Susan lucci eating her heart out.

Susan Lucci has plenty of money……….She doesn’t need a award.

So happy for Erika! I hope she wins!!! Lucky #7. I can’t believe OLTL didn’t get nominated for best show or writing!? WTF? OLTL was the best show last year, period. AMC, really? Pull your heads out of your asses daytime emmys.

I have to agree. As much as I love and stuck by AMC, even through their long, downward spiral into creative-death, OLTL has consistently hit the high note with incredible stories and actors to play them out. OLTL should’ve been nominated if only for the touching reunion with Shane, Gigi and Rex.

I agree with you Mitchell………………………………OLTL was the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to disagree on this one regarding Susan Lucci she has always been very gracious about Erika Slezak’s wins she even made a small speech about how she respected her work at an emmy telecast.

Best of luck to Erika “Vicki” Slezak in getting her 7th (and last) emmy trophy. And again, thanks for all the memories.

I do not know yet what the others submitted but as I predicted I think she will probably take this one home! The only reason I can figure out on why OLTL did not get an emmy nom for Best Show is maybe they judges did not get the Fraternity Row episode I thought it was good, I think probably GH will take it for the episode with Lukes intervention.

Yes, I am thrilled that Slezak was nominated again! No one deserves that award more than she does for that brilliant 40th anniversary show performance she gave! I so hope she wins. But Michael, by the way, next time you talk to Erika, please tell her that the book they used on GH with her picture on it was not supposed to have been written by Viki and Jessica–the book was called “Oh Yes They D.I.D.! – The Unauthorized Biography of Victoria Lord and Jessica Buchanan”. So Slezak need not be concerned that they are compromising Viki’s character!

She is THE greatest actress in TV history, daytime or primetime. Good luck, Mrs. Selzak Davies. This will be your chance to break your own record. You deserve it.

Your right Robin Fletcher, And she was the heart of One life to live for 40 years.

I so wish in the interview Erika would have been asked “are you considering joining any other soaps?” I would love for her to move to GH. Todd and Thea are there, Starr… why not Viki! She could give that show a huge boost. I’d start watching it daily!!!

Her nomination *almost* makes up for the #OLTL snub. I’m so glad she submitted her 40th anniversary episode because it was a tour de force. I’ll definitely be pulling for her come Emmy night!

OLTL never gets many nominations. I thought this year might be different but it wasn’t. I hope they win all 11!

I am praying with all that is in me that Erika Slezak wins. Erika is still tops when it comes to soap operas. I really miss OLTL. I always counted on seeing Erika at 2pm. I am not alone. There are millions of OLTL fans hoping she wins. I hope OLTL , AMC & GH win every emmy. That would show ABC/D how stupid they were to let them go. Congratulations to Erika Slezak-Know You are a winner!!

I want her to win! Did anyone else think her comments about the DID book on Gh were a bit odd? I miss Viki and wonder what she is up to these days. One thing we know for sure she isn’t doing is a book tour! 🙂

I didn’t find them odd at all. As an actress, Erika would know what her character would and would not do. And Viki would certainly not write a book about a chapter in her life she’d soon not think about!

Why did you think it was odd? I didnt, However, Heres my Idea, Vickis book becomes a #1 best seller and she goes to port charles for a book signing, Visits Todd, Starr, John and tea, she likes it so much she stays in port charles, The quartermaines need another rich family living next to them, Clint is in london working on his company and will join her soon. I miss Ericka Slezak and I would love to see her on general hospital.

RE: I just thought it was odd about the $25.00 comment but I guess she was just being funny! lol!
YES please come to PC and bring Tina with you!

RON CARLIVATTI: Cant you just see Tina and Luke involved in a jewel caper!!!! HELLO! This story is just waiting to be written!!!

hope she wins!!!

Love Erika Slezak!!! She’s gonna take it. I LOVED the scene where she found Charlie and Echo in bed. I felt all of her emotions, they bounced off the tv screen. So palpable, then when she slapped the snot of out Echo….sweet!!! The woman can act in her sleep. Miss Vicki.

Hope u get all these messages and well wishes.

All the best Ms. Slezak

I want Erika Slezak to win her 7th emmy.. she is so talented and I adore her……………She was the HEART of OLTl……………………..She kept her family & friends close to her heart….And giving her wise advice to them…….That beautiful SMILE!!!! A lot of emotinal seens & I got caught up in them each & every time….She is a very talented & pretty woman…She is my #1 favorite from OLTL………………..ERIKA ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree. I know she was to go on to PP b4 the deal fell through. I wonder how she’s doing? IF she went through major withdrawls on not playing Vicki? I wouldn’t be surprised if she guested on GH.

I like too that they always gave her a love interest. Seems like w/most soaps when u reach a certain age they treat u like furniture. Like you’re not a person anymore and b/c u can’t do those hot love scenes, no more love interest for u. OLTL did not do that to them, to Vicki. Loved that:)

I truly hope she wins this award. Erika is so talented and deserves this award. I was only a One Life to Live fan for a short time (after ATWT was cancelled) but I fell in love with the show immediately. It was so easy to get into because of the multi-generational storytelling. I miss it quite a bit and would love for ABC to see the error of its ways and bring back Erika and the Buchanans.

ABSOLUTELY ! Bring them back.!!!

It would be an absolute crime if Erika didn’t win.

I’d also just like to mention how much it pisses me off that Erika Slezak is out of a job while people like the Kardashians are still on-air and earning millions by doing nothing other than prostituting themselves.

Yes, it is nauseating and it sucks big time. It’s one of the reasons I loathe talk shows and celebrity culture. There is no end to the sleaze appearing on television–from the New Jersey Shore to the California Kardashians–the country is deluged with garbage.

I totally agree with you. I don’t watch non-scripted television. I want to be entertained, not horrified by the lowest common denominator. If not for the second tape no one would know who they are. Erika Slezak deserves her seventh emmy. Break-a-leg Erika!

Sorry “SEX TAPE”. I hate auto correct.

Makes me sick to, To much garbage taking over Our time to enjoy good entertainment, I wonder about the people who watch those dopy reality shows and how can they respect the kardashians, they got started because of a porn flick. thats sick. If the reality, talk, food,self help trash takes over what we have left to watch My t v is gone, or I get more dvds and buy the shows and movies I want to watch. I read that lucy and ricky ( I love lucy ) couldnt sleep in the same bed, look at the filth they show now. Its like we lost our morals in this country and slowly we are loosing the good and the bad is here to stay until we do something about it,I guess the only way we can get even is to shut it off,Whats sad is that there are more that keep it on. Hollyweird is evil.

I can’t stand those annoying Kardashians! I don’t understand why people watch! Their voices alone are enough to drive you nuts!

Oh, David & David Larsson, why did you have to put it that way? It just sickens me even more (if that’s possible). I CANNOT tolerate & avoid every single reference to the KARTRASHIANS or KAR-FAT-ASS-IANS as I refer to them. You are so right-the most awful of people dominating the airwaves & raking in millions while our poor soaps go by the wayside.

Just seeing a picture of Erika Slezak or seeing her name in print or the name Viki brings tears to my eyes. I love & miss her & our show so much. It really HURTS me!

Watching GH today-the scenes with Tea, Starr & Todd just tore my heart out. For just a few minutes I actually pretended that I was watching OLTL. I know, I sound like a nut. But this whole cancellation/lack of nominations has bummed me out beyond comprehension.

No gloria your not a nut I did the same thing, It was so good to see them all together again.

Gloria, there’s nothing wrong about missing something you love. OLTL was part of our lives for decades. It has only been gone for four months. I miss our Llanview family too and it is still painful. Watching GH today with OLTL characters wasn’t that great for me, although I was happy to see Tea pregnant. There is no way their appearance on GH is anything as great as OLTL was and I can’t force myself to pretend otherwise. And the lack of nominations further adds insult to injury. I want everyone in Llandview back in Llanview, not Port Charles with GH’s storylines.

I think about a post you made months ago after receiving the OLTL cast picture and you mentioned about 16 people were missing. Would you please post the list? I am curious.

David, I am listing everyone who is in the picture & then who I think should have been. I had 16 at first then when I got to making the list thought of several more. I don’t know how they decided who got in the picture-maybe it was just whoever was available that particular day. I am pretty sure the picture was made before the awful news from Prospect Park on Thanksgiving Eve. Everyone looks gorgeous & happy in this photo.

In- Nigel, Delphina, Destiny, Matthew, Cutter, Aubrey, Rama, Shane, Jack, Gigi, Rex, Tomas, Tea, Blair, Todd (Roger), Sean, Vivian, Starr, John, Dani, Nate, Brody, Jessica, James, Ford-they are all standing. Then you have a chair with Asa’s cowboy hat sitting in it & a big picture of Phil Carey! Then Renee, Nora, Bo, Agnes Nixon, Viki, Clint (they are all sitting together in the front row) then there is a club chair with Natty & Roxy sitting together-so sweet!

People who should also have been in-DORIAN (they should have had her on the other side of Agnes Nixon), David, Tina, Cord, Joey, Kelly, Kevin, Mo, Noelle, Sam, Todd (Trevor), Charlie, Destiny’s mom & dad, Addie, Echo, Cole, Hope, Marty, Vimal, Marcy, Michael, Troy, Lindsay, Mitch, Cristian, Carlotta, Antonio & Jared.

Just writing this all down makes me miss everyone even more!

Oh yeah, the picture was made in the library at Llanfair!

Is this the picture of the last cast photo? Where can I get one? I would really love to have it.

Yes it is. Remember the day the OLTL cast was on the View? At the end of that show they said you could order the picture from ABC & as much as I hated to pay ABC anything I did. It is a numbered photograph-there were only so many available. I don’t know if they are sold out or not. You will just have to do some searches online I guess & see what you come up with. It will be worth it if you can get it. I have mine framed & hanging in my bedroom like family photo which it is to me. It is on good quality paper & came numbered with a certificate thing & was in a nice heavy cardboard roll. It is not as big as I was expecting-I was thinking poster size (I wish) but it is about 11 x 17 I think. Good luck-I’ll let you know if I come across one.

Prue graciousness. What a class act! She deserves to win after the year’s worth of performances she gave.

I am also exited to see Erika’s nomination. I hope she wins. I hope all ABC soaps take all the awards home. AMC and OLTL should never have been cancelled. We miss them both so much. I also feel that they should have been nominated for the best drama series too. We are all routing for you Erika. You are the best always have been and always will be.

erika slezak will take home the emmy. i miss her so much. please bring viki to general hospital. she would bring more life to general hospital.

She is always a class act. And I really hope she wins the Emmy and that OLTL wins all the other awards they are nominated for!

Erika Slezak = CLASS ACT. I hope you win #7, my dear. God bless.

So unbelievably excited for Erika! No one deserves it more! She is an amazing actress with unbelievable talent! We will all be cheering her on! Can’t wait to see her again!!!

Yay! Erica Slezac will conquer all> She is the best actress from daytime soap. I would be very mad if she is not rewarded for all she has brought to OLTL. She could teach a Master Class. Maybe she should. She has never missed a beat all the years I have witnessed her perfection as Vikki/NikkiJean/and any other alters. It would be intersting if she came on GH and maybe help Kate/Connie. That could be very powerful. There can only be one winner for that Emmy, and it will be Erica Slezac………….

I want Erika to win. She was incredible in that episode.

I am disappointed that OLTL did not get a writing or show nod.

Erika Slezak is such a class act!

Amen she is a very classy Lady.

Yes she is.. I agree with Michael & tony about Erika Slezak!!!!!!!!!!!!! She had that certain style about her…………I want her to win that EMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss seeing her on OLTL…There will never be another soap like OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s unreplaceable……………………………………………………………. Yes, it was truely a class act SOAP OPERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

erika can act circles around the other nominees – don’t get me wrong they are are good BUT erika is the best!

Erika is the best actress on daytime, past or present. I wish GH would find a way to bring her on short-term with the Kate/Connie story.

Go, Erika, Go–Yay! 😀

She has to win she is the best Actress to ever be on Daytime TV!

I wish Erika would do a cameo on GH when she is in L.A., maybe visit Starr or something like that.

So would I like to see Erika pay a visit to Port Charles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She could give Starr good advice about her situation..That only VIKI can do. And she does it so well………………….ERIKA ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is exactly what I was thinking when I read the part about her getting her tickets to Los Angeles. GH needs to use her.

Other shows have their Diva’s, OLTL had the Queen of Daytime Dramas. OLTL’s Queen could act and outshine any of the daytime Diva’s with style and grace. Hail the Queen! Long live the Queen!

Thank you Erika for every second you brought Viki, Niki, and all the others to life on OLTL. You are amazing an actor and such a very classy lady. I definitely have my fingers crossed for your 7th and much earned win!!!!!!!!!

I will never get over the loss of our beloved OLTL and all the wonderful characters and stories you’ve told over the years. I’ve always said OLTL has the strongest cast of any show on TV and that fact remained true at the finale.

Go Erika. Can’t believe OLTL got snubbed. I’d like to know who the lame judges were. They don’t know talent or entertainment. ABC/D yahoos maybe?

Apparently one of them was Erika, but who were the rest of the judges?

David, Just go to u tube,I just write in vickis voice over, soap opera’s are about families one life to live. Its so sad I forgot how or where I got the info but its there and it was done so beautifully, very sad. I would like to find out who wrote it, Let me know if you found it I tried to get a link to you but it didnt work.

Isn’ it the most beautifully written truth about the soaps. Its also sad .I want one life to live back, It had more heart and soul more then any other soap has or ever will have.

I am SO happy that Erika is nominated and she should win hands down. Can she be nominated again next year for the episodes that aired in January? Her work in the last two episodes, especially the speech about what soap operas mean to us, was stellar.

I am hearing that she can, And I agree about the speech she did about the soap operas and what they mean to us, I went to u tube to see it again a few days ago, sad.

Which speech and video? Can you provide a link or more information so the rest of us can find it too?

I think this is it: “Viki’s Speech – OLTL”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcuT2iHGemk

Yes, it is the most beautifully written truth about soaps, but especially OLTL, and it is sad. I cried as I watched it and it brings tears to my eyes to think about it. I feel the same as you about OLTL.

I don’t think there’s much hope of OLTL returning while FV/RC are doing GH. However, if GH is canceled at some point in the future, freeing up FV/RC, OLTL could be revived, possibly in a shorter or less frequent format on a cable network. It doesn’t matter if the sets and costumes are gone. All of this could be reconstructed. If many of the actors are unavailable, you start with who is available and more would join over time.

there’s a reason susan lucci and maurice benard have 1 emmy each (after years and years and years of screen time!!), whereas tony and erika have 6 each. that 5-emmy gap is the difference between popularity and talent. no doubt, susan and maurice have some talent, but both have their popularity to thank for their longevity more than any other factor. but erika slezak and tony geary are the true queen and king of daytime in terms of pure acting talent. for that reason i’m rooting for erika’s 7th win as her swan song!

Your right about that, I to will be rooting for Erika Slezak to win her 7th emmy and when it happens I hope we get to see it, Still no word whether any network will show it and we are running out of time.

Absolutely and Definitely! It would only be fitting for Erika to win her record seventh Emmy award since OLTL should have never been cancelled in the first place, but mostly because Erika did an outstanding job on the 40th Anniversary show! It was wonderful! ! Love you Erika.

So glad Erika received this nomination. However, is there any word on her future plans? I keep searching google in hopes of hearing she is going to be on GH or another Soap.

Thrilled Erika was recognised for her incredible acting. OLTL is terribly missed . I refuse to watch ANYTHING ABC puts in its time slot – ever !

I love Vicki, I have watched this show since gillian spencer was “vicki”, this show has been a part of my whole life, I cannot watch anything on abc, except GH now! I am that hurt because of the canceled show! Katie is the final knife in the heart reminder of my show being canceled, how about you, do any of our loyal fans feel this way?

I watched One Life to Live in the second half of 20 years. Erica, you are a superb actress! I miss OLTL and I hope it gets back on ABC soon! When a person watches for so many years, he obtains a real love for all the actors … as if their roles are real. I have tried to watch General Hospital, but just can’t seem to get interested. I am so partial to One Life to Live! Just before the show was cancelled, I sent a letter to Michael Easton (John McBain). I flew down to Phoenix to sing for the wonderful Desert Shadows Assembly of God Church: and I got to meet Catherine Hickland (Lindsey) at her hypnotist show! I told her that I have sung for Jesus Christ for 47 years and she showed interest in me and promised to call me. I have not heard from her yet.
Then when I arrived home, there was an 8 X 10 color SIGNED picture from Michael Easton with a nice letter: I was thrilled and put his picture in a frame, now hanging on my bedroom wall, and I pray for him every night for there is his picture to remind me. Well, ERICA: if you would give me a call, that would put the icing on the cake for me! I recorded a professional Gospel album in Hollywood which I would send to you with your mailing address. The title song of the 8 songs is greatly needed today: “America, It’s Surely Time to Pray”: coming from Second Chronicles 7:14. I could write a million words of my love for America. The only answer to save our nation is for God’s Christian people to repent, call on Jesus to heal our land: and if we do this DEEPLY — then Jesus will heal America! ERICA: My phone for you is 208/’342-4889. Sincerely praying for you and your family. I am Bob Bateman, Singing Evangelist! JESUS IS ABOUT TO RETURN!

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

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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.”

Calderon took to his Instagram story and simply shared, “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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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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.

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