The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.

Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.

In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.

Photo: JPI

FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS

Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.

General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.

Photo: ABC

PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL

In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.

Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.

It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.

*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.

First-look photos of Jonathan Bennett’s new General Hospital role of PCPD officer Joe Fitzpatrick have been released, given GH fans a glimpse of what’s to come when the character makes his debut on Monday’s upcoming May 18 episode.

Bennett is coming home to ABC soap operas, after beginning his career as All My Children’s JR Chandler some 25 years ago. The actor/host/producer shared that returning to the rigors of a daytime drama was not on his “bingo” card.  However, the minute he heard about the role, there was no question in his mind, he was going to go in, read for it, and make it his!

In preview of his upcoming debut, Jonathan spoke with TV Insider, where he detailed his feelings on playing Joe, “I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play. I’ve never read something where I was like, ‘I have to do it,’ and when I read this, I called my agent and said, ‘I’m playing this character.’”

KNEW THIS ROLE WAS FOR ME

Confident that he would nab the role, he clearly was the choice of GH executive producer Frank Valentini too, with whom, Bennett shared is one of the reasons he couldn’t wait to step into the world of Port Charles, “I was very excited to work with the best of the best, like Frank Valentini. He’s a legend.”

The Hallmark Channel and Food Network staple also shared that once his casting was announced, the reaction he received, doubled-down his decision that being on General Hospital and playing Joe Fitzpatrick was the right move at this time in his career and his life.

“The outpouring of love from just the announcement made me really emotional. I was driving home, talking to my husband, and I started having tears roll down my face. It just feels so good to go somewhere where you’re so loved and you feel so supported before you even start. It felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders. I just was like, ‘Oh, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.’”

Courtesy/ABC

PREVIEW CLIP

In an exclusive clip released to PEOPLE.com on Friday, May 15, GH fans can get their first real glimpse of Bennett in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick. In the scene at the PCPD, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) asks, “Hey, dispatcher. What’s the story with this arrest?” To which Joe responds, “A call came in from the maître d’ at the Metro Court and he said there was some sort of argument, scuffle happening in the gardens and was concerned things were going to escalate and patrons would get injured. When we got there, it was obvious, things had escalated.”

That exchange leaves General Hospital fans wondering who was in the scuffle? Stay tuned.

So, will Dante put Joe on the case to help keep his son Rocco remain in the clear from shooting Cullum? Will Joe be a good guy, or could he be implanted at the PCPD by Sidwell or Cullum? What about the role that Jonathan Bennett read initially, do you think made it something that he really wanted to play? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five months since the passing of General Hospital icon and eight-time Daytime Emmy winning actor, Anthony Geary. Since the news of Tony’s passing at the age of 78, broke last December 14, 2025, tributes have poured in from Geary’s co-stars, and GH even honored the incredible legacy of Luke Spencer on a special episode where the characters take a moment to remember him.

On-screen, Luke had died in 2022. Geary retired from the soap in 2015, to spend his life full-time in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama and only made one other brief appearance in 2017 to usher off Jane Elliot, who at that time was leaving as Tracy Quartermaine.

Gama, has continued to provide memories of his beloved husband over the past many months as he continues to mourn his loss. Now, with it being the 5-month mark since Tony’s death, Claudio took to his Instagram to share how Tony felt about his leading ladies, and in particular, in this post, six-time Daytime Emmy winner, and One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki).

Photo: ABC

It was back in 2010 that then ABC Daytime launched the What If series which featured crossover vignettes or mini-stories which crossed a character from one soap in their daytime line-up with a character from another soap. And of course, the one that every one waited for was to see Erika and Tony act together for the first time.

In fact, after Geary’s passing and as previously reported, Erika Slezak shared a statement, on her official website, Erika expressed, “I am so terribly saddened by the death of Tony Geary. He was a charming man, a brilliant actor and all together a very nice man. I send my sincerest condolences to his husband Claudio, and I will keep him in my prayers. We had such fun together when we did the What If crossover promotions in 2010. I thoroughly enjoyed him and loved watching him on television.”

LUKE SPENCER AND VICTORIA LORD MEET

In his new post, Gama wrote: “It has been exactly six months since you left to be up there, where the stars shine for eternity. I miss you so much every day. I miss your smile, your warm hugs that wrapped me in love. Rest in peace, my love.  Max and I miss you and will always love you. Greetings to everyone from Amsterdam — it’s a holiday here today, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day). I’m going to do a little work, then head back home to Max and continue sorting through more videos and photos. So many tears, but also so many beautiful memories, and those keep me going. Have a safe and healthy week”

Claudio then added, “Tony always loved Erika Slezak, a truly classy lady. As Tony would say about all the talented ladies he worked with, he was always a gentleman. I was just told it is 5 months actually but it feels like a long time.”

With that, as you can see in the Instagram post below, Claudio posted the What If Luke Spencer crossed paths with Victoria Lord, as they get stuck in an elevator together. Check that out, followed by the What If Series Promo.  The What If series was the brainchild of current General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini.

Now let us know, what did you think about Claudio’s heartfelt message missing his husband, Tony? Did you love seeing Tony and Erika together in the What If series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Claudio Gama (@claudiogama_71)