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Genoa City Finally Learns Of Katherine's Passing! Y&R's Jess Walton's Performance!

Courtesy/CBS
On Monday’s episode of The Young and the Restless, Katherine’s (the late Jeanne Cooper) closest friends and family (who are still on the television canvas of the number one CBS soap) learned the fate of the Grand Dame of Genoa City!
Murphy (Michael Fairman) revealed that Katherine had died in her sleep after completing her bucket list of things she wanted to do, and places she wanted to visit all around the world, before she died.
Murphy also revealed that even though her surgery to remove a brain tumor was successful, it really wasn’t, and she kept the truth from her family and friends … and in a very Katherine-esque move, wanted them to not worry about her, or worry them.
The most moving performance during the scenes in which we the audience, and the cast of core characters, learned of Katherine’s death, (and even the foreboding before) came from Daytime Emmy winner and Jeanne Cooper’s long time scene partner and dear friend, Jess Walton (Jill). And as Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) read the letter Katherine prepared to be read after her death, Mrs C. even gave Jill hell for “making this moment all about her”.
Seeing cast members: Daniel Goddard (Cane), Eric Braeden (Victor), Greg Rikaart (Kevin), Kate Linder (Esther), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe), Melody Thomas Scott, Christel Khalil (Lily), Bryton James (Devon) and Jess Walton recalling a moment with Katherine in a retrospective clip package at the end of the episode, reminded us at home the deep connection, and sometimes little separation between reality and soap. As for years, and in some instances decades, these performers not only were Jeanne Cooper’s cast mate, but dear friend.
However, it was Jess Walton who made us reach for the hankies, showing that no matter in life or death, the Katherine/Jill supercouple is, and was, one of the best! The way Walton drank her champagne at the end of the episode as Jill, defiant but devastated, about the loss of a woman she spent most of her life with in a love/hate relationship was priceless.
The negative we can say about the episode was way there was way to much time was spent on the Sharon/Nick/Avery story, when the death of Katherine deserved much better initial wallop! But, on with the story … there is more to come!
What do you think of Jess Walton’s performance on yesterday’s Y&R? How the news was given to the GC residents on Katherine’s death? Did you reach for the hankies? Or, did it fall flat for you? Weigh-in!
Jess Walton was the only one making me feel it because she was not having to act it was pure raw emotion. Class act please give this woman a MAJOR storyline we need a monarch now that JC is gone and Katherine was bad and good there were lots of times I was on Jill’ side.
Jess Walton made the ENTIRE show. I wish they would use her more, and stop making the excuse that they *can’t* because she lives in OR. She still has digs in LA for when she IS working. So that’s no excuse.
She is a gem, and they need to recognize that.
Thank You Jess Walton….
for showcasing…. epitomizing… Katherine and Jill.
dang didn’t you wring out all the emotion… “as if Katherine was right their”.
what a coup and a reminder for the Y&R writers… to give Jess Walton more show.
She brilliantly shared with us, fans, the audience… how loved these two dames are.
Beautiful episode and Jess Walton did make the episode!
I personally found it irritating by the end of the episode yesterday. It was a legitimate initial reaction but it was over the top and overdone and I hope she calms down by today’s episode.
Sadly I must agree– at first her reaction was the most raw– the most believable- of the group– but after a while– and into Tuesday episode of the how could Katherine do this to me- wore a bit thin. But this is more the writer’s fault than JW’s. If she knocked it out of the park with these lame lines, imagine how powerful a scene would have been if she had been allowed to say how she felt instead of complaining she wasn’t given a chance to say it.
I loved Jess Walton’ s performance in the episode. I did not like it when they change the history from Jill being her daughter to not but I guess it shows a powerful mother and daughter love could exist between people who are not biologically related.
I wish CBS had did a week of classic episodes of when Katherine made her first appearance on the show, even thou I know it would feature a different Jill.
I truly hope there is an entire episode totally devoted to Katherine. I think the Nick/Avery/Sharon/Chelsea/Adam drama can wait for one day.
Jess Walton was amazing and even better today. Jill crying in Jacks arms was one of the best scenes I’ve seen in a long time. I wish those two were in story together more often. But that’s never going to happen since they never use Jill. I don’t know what’s wrong with Y&R, Jess Walton is one of the best actresses on that show it’s a crime they don’t use her. She makes stories better, even if the writings not that good, what other show would not use an actor who did that?
Jess Walton/Jill & Melody Thomas Scott/Nikki were both great and heartfelt..
The emotion from them both and others was real..
Victor behaved in sorrow as EB would express himself..
It was very touching and I believe hard for all in the room saying good bye/hearing Katherine had passed and the realism of it..
It was not about Katherine it was all for Jeanne Cooper..
Jess Walton let us into her emotions over losing her loved friend, Jeanne.
Jess was great, and te writers have written hr TRUE to character. I have watched the Jill/Katherine relationship played out by all 4 Jill’s and Jess’ is the best of the four (bot to slight Ms. Adair or creator Brenda Dickson) and the most complex. The show would be REALLY foolish not to promote her to the new Grande Dame of GC.
I didn’t realize that 4 actors played Jill. Was there someone else in the role besides Brenda Dickson, Deborah Adair and Jess Walton? How long did the 4th person play the part and when?
Jess Walton was excellent on Monday’s episode, especially when they first gathered in the living room and the moments leading up to Murphy’s actual statement about Katherine.
The other Jill was on the show for just a couple of weeks so she doesn’t really count. I can’t even remember her name. I think it was sometime AFTER Adair left, but right before Dickson slithered back.
Actually technically five actress played Jill– Brenda Dickson, Bond Gideon, Deborah Adair, Melinda Fee, and Jess Walton. You could say six because once when JW was ill Judith Chapman played her for a few shows.
Jess FREAKING NAILED it and always brings it in her performances; but it was especially true during these last few days; I’m seeing an Emmy reel in her very near future. And, Melody Thomas Scott always makes me cry….. Nikki and Jill’s devastation is palpable and has me in tears, yet I keep rewinding to watch it over and over; I’m a masochist, or something! Beautiful job all around!!!!
Jess Walton no longer submits material for Emmy consideration. She has said so in interviews many times. She’s won an Emmy for Best Actress and Supporting already. so she no longer throws her hat in the ring.
Jess should get an Emmy by herself, but I also think Melody did a great job as always..
Beyond the Gates
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up

Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.
However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).
From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).
In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.
So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?
Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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