News
Hillary B. Smith chats on her new role on B&B, Prospect Park & the ending of OLTL!
Courtesy/ABC
Shortly after the finale of One Life to Live aired, it was announced by the CBS soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, that Daytime Emmy winner, Hillary B. Smith (Nora, OLTL and Guya, Venice) was joining the Brad Bell sudser in the newly created role of a sexual therapist ( or as they say,”a psychiatrist who specializes in sex therapy”), Dr. Stacy Burton!
Now TV Line has a new interview with Smith on her decision to tackle a brand new daytime role on the very successful B&B, what she thought of the ending of One Life to Live and her thoughts on the fallout from when Prospect Park bailed out at the last minute when they were supposedly moving One Life online. Â Here are a few excerpts below!
Hillary on what attracted her to her new role as Dr. Stacy Burton: “To be perfectly honest, what drew me to this role was the opportunity to work with Brad Bell… and that’s basically it. [Laughs] I could have gone on that show as a janitor and I would have been happy to have the experience to work with him. [Laughs] I have not seen a script yet, but Brad called and gave me a little thumbnail sketch of who I’d be working with and what I’d be doing. I’m going to be working very closely with a contract player and helping them deal with a crisis, so that works for me.”
Hillary on watching the final episode of One Life to Live: “I was in New York at [an Upper West Side sports bar] with a bunch of the cast and crew and there were times during the episode that I just started to cry, and others when I laughed out loud. At one point I had tears streaming down [my] face — especially when Woodsy [Robert S. Woods] and I say goodbye to each other [on camera]. That was really Woodsy saying goodbye to Hillary and Hillary saying goodbye to Woodsy, and that was tough. Just remembering the day we shot it all, you know, was sad. We just looked around the room and wished everyone well and hoped we’d see each other again. But lives move on. Actors are supposed to be nomadic by nature, but we found ourselves forming a family — dysfunctional albeit, but a family nonetheless — and then suddenly our family was gone.”
Hillary on how Prospect Park impacted the ending of OLTL and its stories: “I think there was unfortunately a lot of running around and fixing things. They had an ending in mind and then Prospect Park bought the rights and they changed a lot of the ending so that it could continue… So, that was very difficult and was probably really hard for [headwriter] Ron [Carlivati]. And then when the rug got pulled out again [when Prospect Park canceled their plan], they had from Thanksgiving until it aired [in January] to move things around and try to get some sort of closure. I think they did a remarkable job considering how the ending was supposed to go and how it did go. I tip my hat to them.
Hillary on if she had confidence that Prospect Park could pull off moving OLTL online, since she has been part of a successful online soap venture with Venice: “I didn’t quite understand how they were going to do it. I don’t understand how you can raise money for something that doesn’t have a proven revenue point… but you know what? It’s none of my business how they were going to do that. Just give me the script, tell me when I’m going to show up and I’ll be there to bring that character to life. I was nervous and concerned about it at first, so it took awhile for a deal to be hammered out, and then when it all went away I was so sad. I was sad for the fans, that they had it cancelled again on them — that’s the hard part. So, it was very bittersweet saying goodbye. And then when this offer [for B&B] came through, it was like, I guess we all move on.”
What do you think of Hillary’s comments on the ending of One Life? Are you looking forward to seeing her on B&B? Let us know!
News
RATINGS: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Catches Fire; Up Over a Half Million Viewers Since Last Year, Inching Closer to ‘The Young and the Restless’ for #1 Slot
The race for the number one show on CBS daytime and overall across all broadcast networks became more intriguing after the latest ratings for the week of June 29-July 3 were released.
According to Soap Opera Network, The Bold and the Beautiful while adding +49,000 total viewers for the week is actually up over +566,000 in comparison to last year at this time. That is over a half million viewers. Additionally, B&B was once clocked in with over 3 million viewers for the week at 3,010,000 tuning in. The week marked its second largest viewership of the current TV season.
In comparison, The Young and the Restless which consistently holds at number #1 came in at 3,217,000 with a net gain of +32,000 and also up + 300,000 from 2025 at this time. This makes 23 weeks in a row that the soap has come in with over 3 million tuning-in.
However, there is now only 200,000 plus lead by Y&R shortening the gap between the two soaps. Additionally, The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped the key demo of women 18-49 besting The Young and the Restless with a 0.22 ratings share of the audience compared to 0.20 share.
Courtesy/CBS
HOPE AND BROOKE’S MOTHER/DAUGHTER SHOWDOWN
On The Bold and the Beautiful, the ratings week featured the fallout of Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) being revealed as the new creative director and lead designer of Logan.
Hope’s decision to keep it a secret from her mother, Brooke Logan Forrester (Katherine Kelly Lang) then showcased major confrontations and showdowns between Brooke and her sister, Katie (Heather Tom), and then Brooke and her daughter, Hope, which ultimately left viewers on the Friday, July 3 cliffhanger with Hope passing out in anguish over betraying her mother.
Photo: JPI
PATTY MAKES HER DEADLY MOVE AGAINST JACK
Over at The Young and the Restless, the week featured the aftermath of Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) surgery to save her eyesight, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) being stabbed by a vengeful Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk), Kyle (Michael Mealor) rushing to save his mother, Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters), and Billy (Jason Thompson) and Jill (Lauren Koslow filling-in for Jess Walton) trying to settle old grievances.
As for General Hospital, the ABC soap opera came in with just under 2 million viewers adding +27,000 for the week and up +140,000 at this time. Meanwhile, Beyond the Gates had a week of repeats, so it was down to 1,354,000 total viewers but still up +282,000 from last year.
*ratings are derived from Nielsen’s Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel viewing and DVR playback.
So, what do you think of the ratings performance of The Bold and the Beautiful? Was it one of their best week’s in a long time on-screen? Do you think they will soon be able to top The Young and the Restless as number #1 in total viewers, or do you think Y&R will continue to remain the kingpin for some time to come? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Tamara Tunie Shares Bittersweet Moment of Learning She’s a Daytime Emmy Nominee Following the Loss of ATWT’s Scott Bryce
As many are celebrating their nominations for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30, for some it was a “mixed bag of emotions,” as detailed by first time nominee Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates), who was named as one of the five women in the coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress category.
The Lead Actress nominations were actually announced on Monday on Entertainment Tonight, ahead of the full nomination announcement by NATAS on Tuesday. Sadly, on Sunday night, Tamara’s longtime friend, and former As the World Turns co-stars, Scott Bryce (ex-Craig Montgomery) passed away from cancer at 68-years-old.
Michael Fairman TV first reported the heartbreaking news of Scott’s death, and his beloved son, Jackson took to his Instagram to announce the death of his father, sharing, “What began as stage three esophageal cancer eventually spread and became brain tumors that took his life away from him.”
Photo: JPI
THE LOSS OF ‘AS THE WORLD TURNS’ CO-STAR
Tamara spoke on receiving the recognition from peers while mourning the loss and trying to process the news of Bryce’s death via heartfelt message on her Instagram on Wednesday. Tunie had appeared on As the World Turns as Jessica Griffin from 1986-1995, 1999-2007 and 2009. She crossed paths with Bryce during several of his runs on the show 1982-1987, 1988-89, 1990, 1993-94 and 2007-08.
In her video message, Tunie explained she was at the airport in Atlanta (where Beyond the Gates is taped) and was heading to Pittsburgh for a speaking engagement, but she took a few moments to address these two moments in her life.
Tamara began her video with, “Hey family. I didn’t want to let any more time go by without expressing some of the emotions I had been feeling over the past couple of days. Many of you know that a dear friend of mine passed Sunday night. He was like a brother to me. We were friends for 40 something years and we actually met on the set of As the World Turns, a daytime drama. Monday, a mere 24 hours later, it was announced that I was nominated for an Emmy award for Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama.”
Sharing how the loss of Scott Bryce has deeply-affected her, Tamara added, “So, you can only imagine the rollercoaster of emotions that I have been feeling since Sunday night. I know my daytime soap opera brother is smiling down on me and cheering me on, and I am so grateful for this recognition from my peers. Being nominated for the first time it’s a mixed bag of feelings I have to tell you.”
Photo: CBS
BEYOND THE GATES FAMILY SCORES BIG IN EMMY NOMINATIONS
However, Tamara took some moments to recognize Beyond the Gates Emmy nomination haul, expressing, “I’m looking forward to the next couple of months leading up to the awards as we continue to create great television. I am so proud of the rest of my cast members, not only those who are nominated, but every single person who works on this show and gives a hundred percent of themselves every single time they show up. Our crew, our production staff, the Beyond the Gates family is truly special.”
“To have these 15 nominations is really extraordinary. Thank you family for watching. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for supporting me,” concluded Tunie.
You can check out Tamara’s emotional video message below.
Now, let us know, are you happy to see Tamara receiving the first Daytime Emmy nomination of her career for her role as Anita on Beyond the Gates? Do you remember when Tamara and Scott Bryce both appeared on As the World Turns? Share your thoughts on Tamara’s heartbreaking words on his passing via the comment section.
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There’s another new face in Port Charles, when on today’s Wednesday, July 15 on General Hospital, Grady Eldridge made his debut as Simon, a new music executive, who is scouting talent for his record label.
According to Soap Opera Digest, Eldridge is on recurring status with the ABC soap opera, and in story, Simon is the A&R rep responsible for signing music acts and he enters the scene as Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) sets up a musical showcase for Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) who accompanies her on guitar. As the showcase kicks off, Simon arrives.
While his GH role marks his first on daytime, Grady can currently be seen in the final season of HBO’s comedy hit, Hacks. He has numerous credits in primetime including: Doctor Odyssey, The Sex Lives of College Girls and appeared as Max in the recently released in Jennifer Lopez’s movie office romance.
Eldridge joins several other newcomers have joined the ABC soap including: Dean Geyer as Dr. Tristan Roberts (who first showed up on Monday’s July 13 episode), and Troy Lennon Appel as mysterious businessman, Hudson who shows up later this month.
In addition, GH fans will get the chance to see Kayden Brenna Tokarski who takes over the role of Scout Cain, and Kelly Kruger (ex-Mackenzie Browning, The Young and the Restless) who is the recast Serena Baldwin, who debuts on July 30.
So, do you hope Simon sticks around Port Charles? Do you think Trina and Gio will become a major recording act, or will trouble be brewing with this new music executive, and Brook Lynn will spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e? Let us know your thoughts and impressions after checking out Grady on today’s GH via the comment section.
RATINGS: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Catches Fire; Up Over a Half Million Viewers Since Last Year, Inching Closer to ‘The Young and the Restless’ for #1 Slot
‘Beyond the Gates’ and NAACP Partner for Contest to Give Winning Viewer a Guest Spot on the 15-time Daytime Emmy Nominated Soap
‘Beyond the Gates’ Tamara Tunie Shares Bittersweet Moment of Learning She’s a Daytime Emmy Nominee Following the Loss of ATWT’s Scott Bryce
‘General Hospital’s’ Amanda Setton Talks Her Reaction, Scenes, and Co-Stars After Becoming a Daytime Emmy Nominee for the First Time (Exclusive)
Grady Eldridge Makes His ‘General Hospital’ Debut as Music Executive Simon
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Amanda Setton Talks Her Reaction, Scenes, and Co-Stars After Becoming a Daytime Emmy Nominee for the First Time (Exclusive)
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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As The World Turns5 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
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Breaking News7 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
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Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
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General Hospital7 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
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Beyond the Gates5 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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Beyond the Gates3 days ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
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General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
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General Hospital1 week agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
I now watch bb and I look forward to seeing Hillary again
I am so looking forward to Hillary. I hope her humor and her gaiety follow her. I loved her to pieces.
Yes, I have never watched B&B, Never…But I will watch when she comes on……
I look forward to seeing all of them return somewhere!
Amazing !!
That’s how I felt after reading this article.
The best summary of all that has happened, with no hint or tone of anger in her commemts.
I am also very happy that she is going to be on B&B. Her character sounds perfect and while reading, she was already bring the role to life.
I have never watched B&B but I will be when she starts. Lucky I have some co-workers who watch so them can fill in some background.
So happy that work has come her way, and hope it does too for all the other people who worked and made a living from “One Life To Life”
I wont just watch anything cause theses guys go there.
She needed a job…they all do now.
The character she will be working with is Hope I think she is finally going to get her destiny Liam and be frigid in the bedroom. Just guessing!
“I think they did a remarkable job considering how the ending was supposed to go and how it did go.” She’s right. They should win an Emmy for best editing. Under the circumstances, we got the best ending possible. We can be thankful for that. Hillary going to B&B is enough of an incentive to check it out, but Nora will live on in our hearts forever.
What she said is true, life does go on.We can’t sit and cry over spilt milk and we can’t sit waiting for our bowl to be filled again. You as actors pick it up and carry on. Tomorrow is a new day and new adventures.We fondly remember our soaps with much love and memories. Hopefully with the few thats coming to GH in Febuary the ratings will blow sky high and the show will remain for the fans that love it. Maybe somewhere down the road OLTL will spark a new start and those that played will return. We can only hope and pray. 🙂 Goodluck to all who gave us 43 years of happiness. God Bless
I have watched B&B for the last 5-6 years, when I got sick of AMC & decided to switch. So I’ll be glad to see HBS but with a 30 minute show with a large cast-I don’t expect her to have a ton of story or airtime-just the way that show goes. Brad Bell is just not good at balancing story & character time.
I love, Love, LOVE Hillary. I just hope Brad Bell does her justice. He’s not a very good writer, and he doesn’t do very well with a broad canvas of actors, at least in my humble opinion. Also, I’ve never quite gotten into B&B, as it seems so incestuous and sleazy.
I’m wondering who she will be working with.
We Love You In Northwest Illinois, Hillary–Yay! 😀
After yesterday’s ep, I think Hope will be her patient.
It isn’t the same!!!!!!!!! I’m glad hyilliary found a job already………… Bout I was hoping she would join Gh w/ other OLTL actors… I miss Bo & Nora!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They make a good team!!!!!!!!!!! OLTL was like a family…. They had that special closeness !!!!! And you saw it when you watched OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABC messed up daytime programming BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really hate the bold & beautiful, I used to watch but not now, so I won’t see Hillary on it. I wish her well. I loved her as Margo on ATWT and Nora on OLTL. She is great.