Breaking News
Helen Gallagher, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ Three-Time Daytime Emmy Winner and Broadway Star, Has Died at 98
One of the best to ever appear in a leading role on the soaps, Helen Gallagher (ex-Maeve Ryan, Ryan’s Hope), has died at the age of 98. Gallagher is a three-time Daytime Emmy winner and a two-time Tony Award winner. News of her death came from her longtime colleagues at the Herbert Berghof Studio. Helen passed away on Sunday, November 24th.
Soap fans know Helen as the feisty matriarch of the Ryan clan on ABC’s beloved Ryan’s Hope. She played the part through the series entire run from July 1975 to January 1989. It was Gallagher singing “Danny Boy” that took Ryan’s Hope through its final episode that many will remember as an iconic moment in soaps.
Helen won three Daytime Emmys for Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1976, 1977, and again in 1988. At the time she was cast in Ryan’s Hope, Gallagher was teaching singing three times a week and one of her students was Michael Hawkins (ex-Frank Ryan). Sadly pictured below are Helen’s beloved co-stars, Ron Hale (ex-Roger), Bernie Barrow (ex-Johnny) and Michael Levin (ex-Jack), all of whom are no longer with us.

Photo: ABC
After Ryan’s Hope was canceled, Helen would appear on three other soap operas: Another World, All My Children and on One Life to Live as a sex therapist for Dr. Dorian Lord, played by Robin Strasser.
On Broadway, Gallagher was a sensation winning two Tonys. Her big break came in 1947, when Jerome Robbins cast her as Charleston-crazed Nancy in High Button Shoes, catapulting her from the chorus to principal roles. What followed were roles in the musical Pal Joey where she won her first Tony, and her second in 1971 for her grandiose turn in the musical, No, No, Nanette.
Helen’s other Broadway credits include roles in: Sugar Babies, Mame, Sweet Charity, Pajama Game, and in City Center productions of Oklahoma!, Guys And Dolls, Finian’s Rainbow, and Brigadoon, to name but a few.
You can watch the last scene of Ryan’s Hope final episode featuring Gallagher below.
Share your remembrances and condolences for the one and only Helen Gallagher via the comment section below.
Ryan’s Hope was a very good show. Miss Gallagher was a key reason why. God bless!
Ms Gallagher gave an exquisite and perfect performance for all those years on Ryan’s Hope. A true actress, I wish I had seen her on Broadway. Always loved her singing on the No, No Nannette cast recording.
Helen Gallagher. What a talent. She will most definitely be missed. My deepest sympathy to her surviving family and friends.
Thank you Ms Gallagher for sharing you outstandingly tremendous talent with all of us. Rest in peace.
When Maeve spoke, everyone listened.
As painful as news like this is, I want to thank you, Michael Fairman, for continuing to keep us informed when soap stars from the past pass away. Sometimes the articles hit me really hard, as this news does, but I don’t get this information anywhere else, and I’m really grateful.
Very well said.
A wonderful woman and actress who gave us so many fantastic memories! One of Daytime’s Great Dames! Rest in Peace.
She was one of the best actresses in the genre. Ryan’s Hope was the first soap I watched and Helen Gallagher’s portrayal of Maeve Ryan was outstanding.
Thank you Michael for sharing this news with us. I think about her when I read an article on Ryan’s Hope or listen to the soundtrack of Sweet Charity. She is interviewed at a party after opening night and it’s captured on the CD. I wish I could have seen that performance. Later in the run she took over for Gwen Verdon. Everyone should read the obit in the Hollywood Reporter. Several great quotes by Helen.
A true inspiration on how someone can keep working and doing what they love well into their 90s.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.
Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.
While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100, A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman
HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM
Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.
There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC
A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN
In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”
Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”
So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
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