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Hartley Sawyer Confirmed OUT at The Young and the Restless!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Over the weekend, news that Hartley Sawyer was out as Kyle Abbott, the son of Jack Abbott on The Young and the Restless spread across the Internet.  Sawyer first appeared on the number one soap opera back in March of 2013, after replacing Blake Hood in the role.

Daytime Confidential first brought the news to light through their sources, but On-Air On-Soaps was in contact with a CBS and Y&R representative late last night, who confirmed Hartley is wrapping up his run as Kyle!  We will bring you his final airdates as soon as they become available!

So, what is going on here?  Why is no one catching “soap fire” in the role of Kyle?  Many fans were questioning letting Blake Hood go, as around the time of his exit, several viewers were commenting how he was growing on them in the role.

When Hartley Sawyer stepped into the role, he was a very different looking, and had a very different acting style from Hood’s.

What are your thoughts on Sawyer being out at Y&R?  Do you want to see the show recast again, or lay the role to rest for now?  If it’s recast,who do you think would fit the bill?  Weigh-in!

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I personally really liked Blake Hood and never warmed to Hartley Sawyer!

I agree with u..Blake’s Kyle was much better and Hartley presence in the show never won me over.

David Tom so that Billy Miller can play Billy Abbott. Tom would still be working with Bergman and Walton and they could rectify a huge mistake

Billy Miller is leaving because Billy Miller wants more money than he’s worth. Don’t blame TPTB for that.

I can almost guarantee that he wasn’t getting what he’s worth. He’s excellent in the role + has won multiple (deserved) Daytime Emmys for his work.

Billy Miller is an outstanding, talented actor and a great loss to Y&R. Hartley Sawyer never convinced as Jack’s son. Now Michael Muhney is gone too. That said, I find Y&R in flux. I blame Jill Phelps. Everywhere she goes, she causes upset, changes, firings and quitting of major talents. How and why they keep her employed in any capacity on this or any other soap is a puzzle. She’s a train wreck.

I’m glad that Hartley is gone the role. He just did not cut it as Kyle and the show never should have gotten rid of Blake Hood in the first place. If they reach out to Blake, I hope he tells them to shove it.

He was a terrible Kyle. Best news I’ve heard in a long time.

The new Billy guy, he can play Kyle. I want Billy Miller. He’s the only Billy in my eyes

At first I wasn’t taken with Hood but, he did grow on me after a while. Sawyer just never seemed comfortable in the role and really seemed too old (even given the SORASing of the character).

I do hope they find a fit because poor Jack just can’t seem to hang on to his kids. Keemo…now Kyle….and when it comes out Summer isn’t his.

I think part of the problem is every since they SORASed Kyle the character hasn’t been well defined– it is like he is just there to be there– with both actors I never really got a sense of what makes Kyle tick— Blake portrayal seemed too light, I mean the characters mother was murdered, his father has been mainly absence all his young life– the guy should have some edge to him. Hartley’s portrayal was too brooding, but not in a good way– just in a bland way— they need someone with some charisma and charm in the role, but someone who can play dark when need be– not as dark as an Adam Newman dark, but someone with an edge— or perhaps they will just shelve Kyle in favor of this Abbott cousin Andrew that is supposed to be in the picture soon.

Not taking away anything from Hartley’s acting ability, but he was too tall for the grown-up Kyle we had come to know via Blake Hood. Hartley towered over everybody. Same with the recast of “Abby”–what’s-her-face–who too over from Emile Ryan. Casting Director, please STOP DOING THIS to the viewers. Bring Blake back if he’s available and stop messing around with the good ones.

I’m not a YR fan, and am only an occasional watcher, but I thought Sawyer did a fine job from what I saw. Frankly, I saw Blake Hood’s Kyle as a bit of a punk. I took Sawyer much more seriously in the role as debonair Jack’s business son heir. I thought people were too hard on him.

I didn’t mind Hartly myself. What is going on with this show. If they had stocks selling I wouldn’t buy any. I am so annoyed about Michelle, Billy and Michael. I might just make it my new years resolution to stop watch Y&R after Billy’s and Michael’s departure.

They should not have gotten rid of Blake Hood bring him back as Kyle. I never liked Sawyer in the Kyle role….he does look better since his hair cut more grown up. They might not recast the role just yet since cousin Andrew is coming to town.

Come to GH and be a boy toy for Lizzie

Blake’s Kyle was fine as a punk. Remember that Jack used to be quite the punk. And the two look similar. Hartley was just miscast in sooo many ways.

And people need to quit hoping for a last minute Billy Miller mind change. It was HIS decision to leave, and they’ve recast him with the original Billy. They wouldn’t put him in the role of Kyle. It doesn’t work that way folks.

I’ll miss Miller too, like I miss Stafford, but they decided to leave.

I agree with your comments. If they decide to recast, the role of kyle. i will audition for the role. i am a partime model and i also do acting. I am cute young 24 years old and openly gay too. my boyfriend is 35 and he is a music producer.

I’d like to see the character go on hiatus for awhile. I might be in the minority but I didn’t find Blake Hood convincing as an executive and Hartley’s Kyle didn’t exactly hit the ground running.
I think the character should spend some time at a Jabot division in Paris or something for at least a year. The cast is pretty large and he’s not exactly crucial at this time.

Not sad. It was a mis-cast. Either bring back Blake Hood or write the character out. He just didn’t fit as Kyle at all. I miss the younger Kyle. The one character I didn’t want to see suffer a SORAS. Best luck to Hartley, though!

He was ok but I didn’t see a need for a recast in the first place.

Bring back Blake Hood to get the role back on track. It was a mistake to let him go in the first place.

Yes, not really sure why Blake Hood was recast. Nothing against this actor, but he did not fit the role.

Happy about Hartley Sawyer being let go, Blake Hood was better in the role. I believe bringing “Jack’s” son Kimo home would not only add diversity but great story line. I have said it before and shall again, Billy Miller is great as “Billy” but David Tom will also rock this character once again. I only hope newer viewers will give him a chance, many of us long time viewers remember what he brought and will bring again to the character.

Personally I never understood why they let Blake Hood go.
I liked him in the role of Kyle.
I would have much rather watched Blake act opposite Hunter (Summer).

I echo all on here saying they should have never let Hood go. I would think a recast would be in order given the current storyline, but taking Kyle away from an already tortured Jack seems like the “soap opera” thing to do. If they don’t recast Kyle, I really hope they bring Ashley back, and not just for an episode or two. Her family needs her, and Y&R needs Eileen Davidson! 😉

;
No matter who plays Kyle the writing for the character has been awful dull..

Hartley was fine. Blake was fine. Kyle hasn’t been a compelling character since he was a child. The young man who played Maura West’s Kyle was great. Give them a good story to play and they’ll prove they have the chops or fail.

This was bad casting, Blake Hood was a better Kyle.

JFP should have never fired Blake Hood in the first place. Secondly Maria Arena Bell should have left Kyle a 12 yr kid and we wouldn’t be having this issue.

I don’t think this guy was right for the role – or maybe it’s even moreso that the role was never really defined.

I thought Blake Hood was downright AWFUL for virtually all of his run, but we sorta got used to him, he didn’t get better.
Oh well, I’m sure JFP has some other “friend” waiting in the wings who needs a job. I wonder who will wander over from GH next…..

I agree. I liked Blake Hood better as Kyle and was very disappointed when they did a recast. I can understand it if Blake Hood wanted out but to let him go for someone else made no sense at all. Way too many recasts. I liked the first Summer better also. I will always say that Summer should have been Jack’s daughter. Nick and Sharon should’ve had only Noah and little Faith. Never liked the Nick and Phyllis thing. But that is my opinion. If they bring back Kyle it should be Blake Hood in the role or just let Kyle leave town on business. Pease do not kill him off. The world is sad enough with all the madness going on. Please stop some of the madness in these soaps as well. The Delia Abbott death was hard on us all.

YAY!!!!! That BORING AND BLAND Hartley Sawyer being let go from Y&R is , like, the BEST NEWS EVER!!!!! Hartley’s acting on Y&R was A-W-F-U-L. His acting was WAY TOO ROBOTIC for me. And, most of all, Hartley has ZERO sex appeal. All in all…No Thank You. Bottom Line here: EITHER put THE VERY AWESOME Blake Hood back into the role of Kyle Abbott (very quickly!!!!!) or let the character of Kyle Abbott GO ALTOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!

All the best to Hartley. After awhile, I saw him as “Kyle” but a very different style from Blake Hood’s Kyle. I do agree with comments that Kyle is better played as a bit of a punk who is a little too full of himself, but good hearted, I got that from Blake Hood’s portrayal.

They never should have aged Kyle so much. I liked that little boy best. Garrett Ryan. He was 12 years old and acted circles around Blake Hood and Hartley Sawyer. I never understood why they suddenly made Kyle so old. One day he was 12 and going to hockey camp, and a few weeks later he was a Harvard MBA and looking 30.

It’s best to send Kyle off screen for a year or so. They need to re-think and re-work that character.

Bring back Jack’s other son Keemo, he should be around Nick’s age, and put him to work at Jabot. Keemo could have his own children by now. Give Jack some grandkids.

Got his hair cut for nothing, eh? Maybe there’s someone from Hollywood Heights we can hire.

I never liked him in the role. Maybe we should just chill for a while with no Kyle.

I was not thrilled with the SORAS-ing of Kyle after the botched Diane Jenkins storyline (again, why watse Maura West tlaent and presnece like that?). It would have been much more fun to watch Jack raise a child, one who surely would be difficult and damaged by the hand he was dealt. And it would have given Jack a storyline that plays on Peter Bergman’s strengths, compassion for family. The advanced age took that away, rewrote history (igh!), and really did not allow us to be engaged with Kyle as a character. He was just some newbie thrust into Genoa City life.

I hope there is a recast coming as after losing his nieces to untimely deaths, Jack needs to play the parent and guide. Funny how those with children (Victor! Sharon! Chelsea!) are such bad parents.

Both actors were hampered by poor writing in my opinion. There was no commitment to developing story or romance for Kyle. Performers mostly catch fire as part of a popular couple. The show has done the same thing with Nuah. (Not a typo..that is Nu and Noah combined). They have wasted his charisma on nowhere stories. As Jacks son, Kyle should be a major player with major story. When the right actor connects with the right love interest and a well written story he could soar. It happened wih Billy Miller And can happen with Kyle. As with everyhing though it has to start with the writing. And writing has NOT been this show’s strong suit for many years now.

Thank god, he was horrible! Bring back Blake H
ood. Him and Peter Bergman seemed to have chemistry.

Bring back Blake Hood.

I say the character (Kyle) should be off canvas for awhile. Blake Hood had a grasp on the character and reminded me a lot of a young Jack Abbot. Sawyer was miscast from Day 1. However, since Blake didn’t work and Sawyer apparently doesn’t work (with the audience), give the character a rest. There’s still PLENTY of ‘young’ characters to work with and develop; (I still don’t see how Fen got hooked on drugs so fast and why the audience is supposed to care), and Noah’s new girl is growing on me; (though I haven’t learned the character’s name)! So develop those younger characters who remain, sideline Kyle for a long while (maybe he should go visit his older brother Kimo), and keep entertaining me with established vets.

Enough with the cast changes & firings. When will
It end? I can only imagine what the morale must be like over there with JFP taking the hacksaw to anyone & everyone. Let these actors find their feet. I am fast losing all confidence in JFP running the show, she has no idea what the fans want or is best for the show.

I agree with you, Victoria. The reason I like Y&R is because of the core characters. They keep writing off or changing the characters I like too. I miss the original Heather (Vail Bloom), Nina, Mackenzie, Philip, Chance, Jack’s older son Kimo, etc. Michael’s law-dodging father has been on the run for a while too. I just like consistency and this show has none right now. However, I do really love it when John Abbott shows up as Jack’s voice of reason. Those are good scenes.

They should never have killed off the John Abbott character.That was a huge mistake!

I thought Blake Hood was great. He portrayed the grown-up, Ivy League, silver-spoon Kyle well. I liked his chemistry with Hunter King (Summer) better too. When the news finally comes out that Summer is not really Jack’s daughter, they will be free to re-kindle their romance. Also, this has nothing to do with anything but just an observation . . . Blake Hood could easily be Adam Newman’s brother or son. I think they look very much alike. Happy Holidays to you Michael Fairman!!

You hear so much about these shows who are bringig in a “younger set” or a “teen scene”. And that’s great. That’s how you keep a show viable and going. But sadly…no one involved in soaps has a clue how to write these stories. Given the fact that most of the people who produce and write soaps are now in heir 60’s, it is no surprise. They seem to think that young people are eiher drug addicts, bitter about their parents’ issues, or are desperate to have children and get married. One of the most realistic and best teen storylines was on Days of Our lives and began circa 1999. They brought on Shawn, Belle, and Philip. We cared about them because we cared about their parents. Even though in soap time Philip should have been 3 years old, not 16…it just worked. These teens went to dances…they worried about school and exams and proms and dating…all things that you people worry about. We watched them hrough their high school years until they graduated in 2002. They played all the beats and all he moments. Hen hey became adults and fell victim to the usual soap stereotypes (I’m 20 but I’m sterile…..I’m 20 and m psycho ex high school friend is holding me hostage in a kinky prison cage….I went to war and got my leg blown off…etc etc). These shows cannot just bring on young people and think that’s the ticket. The writing needs to be there in the first place. Remember…Bo and Hope one of the most legendary couples in all soap time…started out as teens. That’s because the show planned it….invested in it…had a direction and a goal. They didn’t hire Kristian to parade in a bikini by the pool and then find Peter and say “oh gee…what if we threw these two together?”. There was a plan. It worked, it paid off. Solution: find some writers under he age of 60. Find some writers who do not write in the stereotypical soap format that is the cause of ridicule to soaps. Have a plan for characters who should and could be big deals…aka Kyle and Noah. Get back to realizing that couples and romance are what soaps are.

Thrilled he’s leaving. Never should have been cast in the role. If Blake is available, bring him back.

Get the old Kyle in!!! I never liked the new
Actor playing Kyle…he just didn’t fit the shoes

(Long-time fan)
I have never liked him in the role…preferred previous actor.
But AFTER HEARING THAT Y&R FIRED MICHAEL MUHLNEY (ADAM), I AM NO LONGER A DAILY WATCHER!!! How dare they fire him!!!! I WILL NEVER WATCH AGAIN!

Honestly not happy with the character changes they are making. I like the new Abbie (although I didn’t at first); Hartley never really fit the Kyle role … Billy Miller brings a unique character to Billy (but if they are going to have him cheat on Victoria, I’ll be glad it’s not Billy Miller doing it) … Michael Muhney, as much as we HATE, LOVE, CONNECT, IDENTIFY with Adam brings a passionate side to that role. Why the HE** put him and Chelsea together again for him to be gone. Phyllis leaving left a huge hole; I think I was one a only a handlful of Nick and Avery fans … I don’t want Nick and Sharon back together – they’ve stabbed each other in the back too many times. When you have strength in character … stick to the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. BOOO on the writers!

Adam is one of my favorite characters on the show. I have been watching Y&R for 25 years. Michael Muhlney is one of the best actors I have ever watched. He handles Victor so beautifully and is so believable. How could Y&R ever fire one of their best actors??????? They won’t stay #1 for long. It appears that they are losing/ firing actors regularly. What’s going on? What ever happened to a long, involved story line keeping the same characters? No one will ever be able to fill Michael Muhlney’s shoes. Once his last episode airs, I may never watch this show again. Best of luck to Michael!

Sorry, but I felt he did not suit the part and felt he was not a very good actor for the Kyle role. Role should be recast with someone is late 20’s, good actor, and good looking.

Sawyer was a terrible Kyle. He was boring, awkward and unattractive. I was disappointed Hood was replaced. He was handsome and funny, plus a great actor. I hope they bring him back. Hood had chemistry with the actor who plays Summer. Once she finds out he’s not her brother, there will be fireworks between them.

One more thing, I agree with all the comments that the show has gone down hill with the letting go of great actors (Michael Muhlney was one of there best actors) poor recasting, poor writing that lacks the development of characters with compelling story lines, and poor executive decisions. If things dont change for the better, long time viewers like me will stop watching.

I think Young and the Restless is going a bit nutzo. Eric Braden should not be involved in the actors’ jobs for one thing. Killing Braden off comes to mind. Wouldn’t that be a great story line….except make it real this time.

This boy playing Kyle was excellent,

Funny! Funny! Funny! Ha! Ha! He! He! Someone whose sees Victor the way I do!!! I totally agree 100%. The same as the did with the actor who originally played Victors son Adam.

I don’t care what anyone says I preffered Hartley from the start.I hated Blake as Kyle and was glad he was let go.Now I’m getting used to Hartley and this damn show lets him go.I hope they don’t recast again.There’s other annoying new actors/characters this show can do without also but w.e i’m sure Hartley will have no trouble finding work with his good looks.

I think these producers have flipped an bumped there heads. To loose all these extremely gifted actors at one time is heart breaking. But what can you expect of writers, producers, etc., who would have Sharon play such a vicious stunt to Nickolas, Jack, Phyllis and Summer, is someone who is insensitive and heartless. Sharon once had a good role, but they’ve managed to make her role laughable making her the laughing stalk. And the ones who should be are Victor for lusting after his former daughter-in-law and Phyllis for going after a married man. It also looks like they will cut off their nose to spite their face. Also when you see a show that constantly allows Victor Newman to continuously reek havok on so many people, its very upsetting but not at all as upsetting as a lot of the storylines I’ve been seeing on the Y&R in the last few years, Victor keeps on winning and Jack keeps being the underdog, but who even after being destroyed again, actor Peter Bergman always manage to do a brilliant performance. I’m still rooting for Jack to finally get on top for good. Michael Mulheny and Melissa Claire Egan has such a great on screen chemistry it will be tragic to see that lost. The same with Billy and Victoria. To me this says alot about the people behind the scenes. What is really going on at the Y&R? They are a lot like the people in Congress. Is everyone hard hearted and puffed up with pride. What happened to the good of the show. The storyline has been really great these last few months. Please! Please! I’m not to proud to beg, will you retract? Bring these actors back. From a very long time loyal viewer. P.S. Also bring Victoria Rowell back and let Devon have the lawyer Neil is dating.

It is very depressing to watch now. I have been watching since the day I came home from the hospital. I am sick to death of Victor. Maybe it is because of what a nasty person Eric Braeden is in real life. The way he attacks fans is disgusting. I can’t imagine working with him. He must have it written in his contract that Victor has to always win. So sick of it. I never watch live anymore. I just fast forward through every scene he is in. I am at the end though. I will not watch anymore. Maybe if they get rid of him I will, but before that, no more.

I thought Hartley Sawyer brought a maturity to the role of Kyle. I am going to miss seeing him on Y&R. I’m shocked he’s been let go!

Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’

Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.

In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.

Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.

Photo: CBS

Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film.  Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.

Photo: JPI

In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.

Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below.  So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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General Hospital

Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”

With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.

Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?

As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.

Photo: Fox

Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”

Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”

Photo: Fox

The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.

As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.

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