News
Is Y&R Considering Killing-Off A Veteran Character? And, What Is Happening To Michael Baldwin?
Courtesy/CBS
Some reports have surfaced, and fans have been reacting over the last 24 hours or so, to a couple of seemingly separate pieces of Intel regarding The Young and the Restless, but could they be related?
First, in the current issue of Soap Opera Uncensored, Nelson Branco reports “Rumour has it a veteran character will learn he has cancer. Whispers around set suggest Y&R may kill off the character and free up a longtime coupling.”
Then on yesterday’s episode of the CBS soap opera, after Michael (Christian LeBlanc) had trouble in the sex department in the bedroom with Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman), they sit down for lunch at the GCAC and have a conversation where Lauren suggests that Michael has been tired lately and maybe he should consider getting a doctor to check him out … and to go see Dr. Barton Shelby (Terrell Tilford)!
Could it be Michael who may come down with a serious health problem? Would the series even consider killing off LeBlanc, this three-time Daytime Emmy award winning actor, who has been one of the greatest actors in the genre? Or, could it be that the show is going to give him a great emotional storyline to play?
Share your thoughts below: Do you think something is wrong with Michael? Who could the rumor report be talking about other than Michael as a veteran character … if this should prove to be true?
Wouldn’t surprise me at all. before JFP’s reign of terror is over the only two left standing will be EB and MTS. It’s sad how fast she can decimate a show.
Left the show shortly after her arrival and will never go back, it will never be the same show even after she’s gone. She puts fans in a constant state of mourning.
You are 100% correct. After watching Y&R for over 20 years I stopped thanks to JFP.
AMEN!
Its sad but I stopped watching too after losing Michael M, Billy M. and Michelle S. I was done but hey! I’m still a huge GH and DAYS fan!
I can’t stop watching. I love Y&R. When the plot falls short, I think
“This too shall pass” and it does. One of the vets turns in a stellar performance. One of the new hires shines. All story lines may not all be great at the same time, but there is plenty to enjoy. I hope you tune in again, soon 🙂
I so agree. She throws him a deathbed story..he’ll pop up somewhere else. In the mean time we’re treated to scenes of Austin..who no one cares about..breathing all heavy over Gina Tognoni’s Phyllis with another hard to believe longer than necessary poor pitiful me tale. Nu Billy doing his best to be accepted as Billy airplaning that poor kid all over the set in a scene that was wholly nauseating simply because he’s Billy. Thank goodness for the scenes of Nick/Sharon/Victor..even though those doctor scenes were anticlimactic Josh Morrow as always breathed life into it. Now they intend to snuff out Michael Baldwin after all the hoopla dies down from the “leaked” story. How on Earth are so many Exec’s cowed by this one woman three ring circus???
I enjoy your take on it. good writing!
I wouldn’t kill Michael off him and his wife r too good of actors and the storyline of Y&R is already going down.
Please don’t kill Michael off Y&R. He and Lauren need to have a steady marriage and have a father son relationship with Fen. Keep the daytime soap opera rolling with good actors and actresses. The original characters need to be on the show. They know the acting routines.
no no I do not agree i THINK that if you look at the bottom line which is what they look at they had to get rid of mm because of the ramifications of accusations of harassment , then our fav Billy Miller wanted too much control over his contract money or time do not know which and Michele S jumped out into web series which I do not believe did as well as she wanted and made the profit she thought it would and was to embarrassed to come back after making her leap…so if you look at all these they were individual decisions….to no fault of the same person….sorry that is what I THINK..
@Sharon don’t be sorry for having an opinion I happen to agree with you. I will fall over if they kill off Michael Baldwin as far as I know JFP does not have a axe to grind with him and unless he wants to leave that would be the only reason. I have two friends that have worked under her as EP they do not discuss her with me. JFP wins emmys and that means a lot to the folks in charge so she is not going anywhere.
Don’t do it! I may have stop watching
If he leaves I will stop watching. I have watched it for over 30 yrs.
i couldnt agree more…she almost killed GH, you’re right, the only 2 left will be EB and MTS if JFF has anything to say. UGH
Getting tired of all the changes, I will most likely stop watching the show !
You kill off Michael, I’m not watching Y & R anymore!
If they kill off Michael Baldwin, it will be the last straw. I have watched for many years. But the writing is mostly ridiculous and they concentrate on silly , people that simply have NO acting ability. Then those that do, get marginalized with uninteresting scenes.
Why are you assuming JFP is getting rid of Christian LeBlance. Did it ever occur to you that an actor wants to leave a show on their own. JFP cannot force an actor to stay on their job so the fans will be pleased. They have a life you know, and like us they too want to move onto other employment or projects to work on.
Y&R better not even think about killing off Michael! Christian LeBlanc is one of the best actors on the show, and after all the loss Y&R has gone through in the past year with Jeanne Cooper’s death and losing MS, BM and MM, Y&R needs to keep its remaining top talent and utilize them. So yes, I’m all for a great emotional story for Michael and Lauren, but if it leads to Michael’s death I will be fuming with anger.
Completely agree.
I totally agree, Jimmy. This sucks! I can think of several that I’d like to see killed off of there, but NOT Michael. She’s wielding the ax again. SHE needs to go!
so u think it’s possible that Chirstain LeBlanc might be sick in real life, he doesnt look good healthy lately
He might be losing weight to make his on screen illness more believable– often actors will do that for their roles— if he isn’t doing it on purpose, I agree he doesn’t look healthy– if it is something he is doing for the role, then it is working because he does look ill. Lets hope it is just pretend and nothing is really going on in his real life.
JFP scares me! I wouldn’t be surprised at all. She’s killed off many popular characters in her time.
Why kill off a great actor like Christian LeBlanc. Some kind of cancer then why not kill off someone who doesn’t have a lot of time anyways & a lot of people hate him E.B. If not then M.T.S. who should be retirering soon anyways. If the writers would use their heads, there is a lot of story-lines around Michael. How about bringing Scotty back. How about Fen coming back to finish school in G.C. If it’s just to save a pay cheque Get rid of Summer. Seems like we’re losing all the great actors/actresses. Such a shame!
They don’t call her the “soap killer” for nothing…
Yep, just the next part of her plan. She thinks SB is the cat’s meow. So that might explain her “taste” in “actors”…
She killed off Stuart Damon’s Alan Quartermaine on GH. He was thought to be an untouchable and Phelps put him in a grave. This woman has no problem killing off top characters and talent.
Killing AQ was the beginning of ALMOST the end of that show. It took years to recover. Matter of fact, the are STILL trying to revive the Quartermaine clan. When John Ingle died in real life it would have only made sense to make Alan the new Patriarch of the Q’s but not, Jill ruined that possibility. She is a soap killer!
I believe he has “Prostate Cancer”. It will be a great story to tell and affects many men every year!
agree
Wouldn’t it be nice if Michael’s was treatable and Victor also has prostrate cancer and it is untreatable. This way they could show the importance of early detection and treatment and what happens if you ignore it.
Susan, perfect scenario.
Yes, Susan. …exemplary input. And, getting rid of Victor in the process….
What, exactly, are you saying? lol
Beatiful
Bravo
Yes
with your first sentence storyline …. Victor death knell …
otherwise… I am on 100% that this be featured…. prostate cancer being #1 most common cancer among men… and 2nd leading cause of death
Kill two birds with one stone. Spread awareness and get rid of a pompous albatross. As it turns out EB thinks he IS Victor. He needs a wake up call and I hope the long awaited coupling is Paul and Nikki.
Do not kill off yet another actor on y&r… Michael needs to stay on the sit com which is being destroyed in the last year with Billy and Adam… I have been watching Y & R for 40 some years and am furious with what you have done with my show.. Phyllis too… Enough is enough!!!!
AH, No, Y&R without Eric Braeden as Victor is no Y&R at all.
I agree with Christina if people didn’t hate Victor he would be a terrible actor. You need Victor to stir things up. Don’t kill off Michael. It would be a good story line but curable.
Hold on, I know a lot of you dont like Victor BUT we have already lost too many legacy characters from this show. I wouldnt kill EB. Kill Summer!
I can see Michael getting the cancer story line. As an actor, he will do well with it, showing what so many go through. I have a hard time seeing him “killed off” as he is now such a core to the YR base. I can understand where writers/producers would want to show a cancer story where the person dies, as that is unfortunately the case for so many that battle cancer. Sometimes stories have to be true to life. However, if this happens, the Jill haters & those so unhappy that BM, MM, MS, & EH are gone will no doubt not take this well. Michael seems very content with being on YR but I can see as an actor where he might be ready to try a new role. I would think Bell would no doubt grab him up on B&B like they did with Don when he was killed off as Brad. No matter how this plays out, I cannot see fans being happy about his exit.
Agreed, Michael is a major character on Y&R and Christian is a great actor so I’m sure he’ll do well with a story like that. If they do go down the cancer road again, I really hope Michael’s is treatable and it doesn’t lead to his death any time soon.
oh, and if the show really wanted to do a cancer story that leads to death, I would much rather they kill Lily off, I can’t stand her and it would open up a great story for Cane dealing with the loss of his wife and having to be a single dad. Lily and Cane haven’t had story in a long time so this could be a good possibility and it could definitely win Christel Khalil and Daniel Goddard an emmy!
I don’t like what they have done with Lilly’s character. With soaps having so few ethnic actors, I would hate to see another African American character killed off. But I agree, if this version of Lilly is what we are going to get I could take them killing her off.
Honestly hope they don’t kill Michael off the show. He also helps Kevin too. Hope he doesn’t go to B&B Please stay on Christian LeBlanc/Michael
I do believe Michael will have an illness of some sort. He has been the rock and strength of his family. He has covered their butts always and maybe its time that someone took care of Michael although it will drive him crazy. I am sincerely hoping they will not kill Michael off he is my reason for watching Y and R in the first place. Such a great talent and Michael has slowly progressed over the years to the man he is today. I loved him even when he was Bad but I love him now wish he had a sharper edge though. There is no reason to kill him off and CLB has done nothing but praise and do great PR for Y and R . If they do this it will be an atrocity of faith to YR fans who love and adore Christian LeBlanc aka Michael Baldwin
His great friend Michelle Stafford is no longer aboard, so I can see tbe possibility of Christian deciding to leave as well.
Christian has many friends on the show. He has never hinted at wanting to leave the show. In fact, he has stated over and over again how much he loves his job. If he leaves, I doubt it would be his choice. We know who would be to blame.
I believe the character will have a health scare which could lead to a good storyline if handled properly; however I hope he’s not killed off the show. If it turns out that Christian wants to leave for some reason, the door should be left open for a possible return!
“Handled properly” ? When has anything on this show been handled properly over the past year or so? That made me LOL. 🙂
Y&R thrives on death stories or someone dying..
A huge percent of Y&R year long stories come from the death of someone or the near death of someone..
Think about it..
The nY&R drama mostly is bui8lt around death or illness/dying..
I have no doubt that Michael is the chosen one to go through a year long story of dying and then die..
It is huge drama and makes for year long story..
Y&R is gutted of all that once made it great.. It is empty ..
It really doesn’t matter how many core characters go,
Y&R is all done but the wiping..
🙂
Sounds like she’s giving him a huge story not killing him off. If they wanted to write a huge story about what happens when someone in a longtime relationship dies they could write one for Jill. If JFP isn’t interested in a veteran character’s life she can ignore their relationships, reduce their airtime, & dribble out appearances throughout the year … like with Jill.
I’m still waiting for a satisfactory, & believable, resolution to Jill & Kay’s 40 year relationship, so I’m not investing in anything else on Y&R. Following a story for 40 DECADES and it’s just dropped when one of them dies doesn’t want to make me invest in any character, story, or relationship. When Victor dies he’ll give all his money to a newly found child and his corporation will be given to Paul, just because it makes absolutely NO sense what-so-ever.
Here, here!
I wouldn’t be surprised if they kill off Michael. Look at how easily they let go of their 3 best actors, Michelle, Billy, and Michael. I find Y&R boring and will not watch it anymore. Just waiting to see where Billy Miller and Michael Muhney end up.
Anybody that believes anything Branco says needs to have their head checked. He likes to stir the pot and if he doesn’t get stories he wants it’s even worse. Even to point of attacking actors kids. Guy is a douche.
Christian LeBlanc is too key to Y&R to be dumped, but a great storyline for him built around prostate cancer would be good – it’s very timely,an important issue in mens health…..and November sweeps is right around the corner.
The men of Y&R could all grow facial hair in support of Movember on Michael`s behalf.
Prostate cancer seems to make some sense as he has had issues lately in the bedroom as they have revealed. I highly doubt he will be killed off, but with JILL you never know…fan loyalty is not in her radar. I think if indeed this is true, it would be a marvelous storyline, and many men recover and live long healthy lives after.
Laurens storyline a few month back with her false pregnancy, led me to believe they may be writing her into a pre menopause storyline. If written well, it would be another great opportunity for a beautiful woman like herself struggle though the process and the complexities.
Christian is a great actor, but I have never seen the chemistry between he and Lauren. I see the deep love, but the physical chemistry is not there for me.
I think it is not the writers this time and we may see Michael off the show at least for awhile while getting treatment for a medical issue in real life, he hasn’t looked healthy for awhile now so I think the show is preparing for him to take some time off to deal with medical issues.
He looked pretty healthy in that bed scene with Lauren. His father did die this past spring, so CLB was back in NO more for his father’s illness and funeral. They were very close.
Aw.. I am sorry if indeed if is ill in real life. I hope that is just a rumor you may have heard. 🙁
Killing off Michael and getting rid of Christian Le Blanc would be so damaging to a show that is barely keeping its current audience. Worst. Idea. Ever. I can think of plenty of “dead” weight they can dump and CLB isn’t one of them! (Although I know he would rock this story.)
I have said this on numerous occasions that JFP is a murderer when it comes to daytime television. I hope and pray that they don’t terminate the veteran actor he is a consummate actor. Unfortunately we as fans are never heard.
I thought Michael was just having a delayed reaction to Lauren’s affair, but yeah the cancer story line would definitely be something worth telling especially if were prostate cancer, since it is not one soaps tackle too often. But killing the character off that would be a risky move. I can see JFP doing it, because she has done it on pretty much every soap she’s produced, killed off a beloved legacy character– and it would no doubt add to their Emmy count next year, but to lose yet another one of their best actors– I don’t know if the show could take another big lost. Hopefully reaction to this spoiler will be so negative they will change their minds, but I have a sick feeling this is going to come to pass no matter what fans say.
Christian does deserve a good storyline, that is for sure. But, my favorite show has become such a joke over the past year or so, that I would not be surprised if JFP kills off another favorite character, despite what the fans think. It truly saddens me what she has done to this show. I find myself fast forwarding through a lot of it these days. I’ve been a viewer for 40 + years and it’s the worst it’s ever been 🙁 But kudos and thank you to the veteran actors/characters who have hung in there and still strive to give us a great show, even though they have no control of the lame and often ridiculous storylines.
I am all for an emotional story for the Baldwins dealing with an illness for Michael, but if they kill off Michael, this 20 yr viewer will quit, and that is just not a threat. It is bad enough we have all these new characters getting so much airtime, but to kill off a beloved vet would be too much.
Not a Y&R fan, but it wouldn’t surprise me if JFP did kill him off….she did it to Maureen Bauer on GL!
Phil…dude…WELL SAID!!!!! Furthermore, unless they’re a FOJ (G-A-G!!!!!), NO character/actor/actress is SAFE. Beyond sad.
Take care, Phil. Peace.
I hope Christian’s iconic character Michael Baldwin is not killed off. He is a great actor, plus the fact he is constantly promoting the show via his Twitter and Facebook feeds. He would certainly be up to the task if his character was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He and Tracey (Lauren) have amazing chemistry & I always look forward to their scenes together. Lauren has had much to much tragedy in her life and I will not look forward to her becoming a widow. TOO MUCH GLOOM & DOOM on Y&R in the last few years. If anyone needs to be killed off, it is JFP
We’re talking about JFP, of course she’s going to kill off a veteran. That’s what she does. She’s been doing it for decades.
I dont understand why a CBS exec doesnt stop this insanity! Doesnt Phillips have a boss? Dont they realize how much Jill’s decisions have pissed off the fan base?
JFP needs to leave the show before we are going to the funeral of The Young and Restless. The story lines are awful and she is running off some wonderful actors. JFP go away!
Because we all know Jill Farren Phelps NEVER kills off beloved, legacy characters.
LOL.
I’m, quite frankly, shocked that any of the legacy cast members are still standing with JFP there. It wouldn’t shock me if she killed off Michael. Maybe she’d put Lauren with her favorite pet Dylan (Steve Burton). As for Emmy winners, JFP only cares about the Emmys SHE wins, not cast members.
Nikki…girlfriend…I GET and I L-O-V-E the sarcasm of the first sentence of your posting!!!!! WELL SAID…PERIOD!!!!! Thanks, Nikki. Take care.
A-C-E-S!!!!!
Y&R is about dying, illness, death..
So yah.. Michael will have cancer and we will watch him die.
Most all core character have something wrong with them..
Nikki is an alcoholic and has MS
Neil is an alcoholic and is blind
Sharon is Bi-Polar
Jack is drugie alcoholic
Dylan has PSTD
Paul near died and has a transplant
Phyllis is in coma
Victoria will lose the baby, no doubt
And– those stories go on for a year..
Nobody is dying nor has a deadly illness on GH..
If whomever leaves they go to prison or usually get shot no body found or go to Sweden…
to die on GH is fast and clean..
Alice had a transplant but it was not a sobby depressing story.. and she got the heart of a cruel mobster heh..
Anyways, with Y&R.. Michael dying after a year fight with cancer is most likely end story…
That is Y&R writing of drama for a big story=death
I 2nd this ENTIRE POST!!!! – this is exactly what was happening at GH before that ghastly Frons regime left GH…….*with them throwing names in hats and drawing at midnight to see who gets to walk through the door of death next*
He should be diagnosed with prostate cancer and proceed to treatment.
I really hope they are not planning on killing Michael, there has been too much going of veteran actors/actresses in this show. I am hoping Michael just has low restrooms which makes men very tired and can effect their sex drive.
Kill off Michael already he’s overrated !
Michael & Lauren a challenge like cancer would be an awesome story line. But I beg you not to kill him off! I love Michael!!
Yes from what has been said I firmely believe that is true, kill him off or if he cant have sex then he wil leave Lauren to free her up even though she will not want him to leave but that would still split them up.
Could Michael Baldwin FINALLY be coming out of the closet???
Omg .. Never thought of that, woulld be cool!
If that happens, then I am done with Y&R!
I follow him and he is all about the show. If they do that it’s gonna make all of the over 22,000 FB members in ky group really angry!
They don’t have a more loyal actor than CLB. If they fire him by killing off Michael, the message would be clear. We have no loyalty to the actors who made the show a success, so my answer would be, why should I be loyal to Y&R anymore? I watch for my vets, not all their new hires.
Anything can happen in a train wreck, and that’s what this show has become.
If they kill off Michael, that would be the end of Lauren. Look at poor Jill. She has neen in the backseat for years now, popping up sporadically. The soap is a shadow of itself.
This show lost it when the got rid of Michael, Muhney and let Michelle Stafford and Billy Miller get through their hands. Wouldn’t surprise me. JFP ruined General Hospital, and now with her gone, it’s great. She is doing the same thing to Y&R!
if michael becomes ill maybe lauren will get lonely and stud muffin carmine can return to heat up laurens bed and our screen?
I am neither a JFP hater or aficianado but at least her reign has brought Cynthia Watros then Cady McClain, and some other great soap actors into the fray. Mishael Morgan? Not so much. I think Michael will have prostate cancer as well. They need to give Jill a chance to become the new grand dame and have Mariah become her p.a. and then steal Collin from her. The night of their divorcea drunken Jill can wreck the car and Collin will die having with a baby boy inside her and….JUST KIDDING
Actually, at this point rehashing Bill Bell’s stories might be a step up for the writing team.
Please please please keep Christian Leblanc. I think a story line of Prostate Cancer would be great, along with the ups and downs of it as so many men have a difficult time dealing and excepting it.
So tired of people coming and going on the Y&R.
Perhaps Christian Leblanc wants out..
Perhaps he said he would not be renewing his contract, so he will be written out..
I doubt any actor wants to die of old age working with a soap opera..
sometimes they just want to retire.. People do that, retire..
This is true, I do understand retiring, moving on to better things and also he could be tired of his character. This is the first I have read of the hint he maybe leaving the show. But then I don’t live and breath soaps like some.
Yes I know about retiring I am a very active retiree. I did so 10 years ago at age 50.
No. He has too much passion and loves acting. He may be tired of Jill and her BS and just want out of this train wreck. Too young to retire.
Great shades of Elvis. It is the fall, and November sweeps and Emmy manipulations are imminent! SMDH! We all know this is probable and likely!
ITA– what could top killing off a child? — let me guess killing off a beloved legacy character— yep, seems like poor Michael will joining a unique club of soap characters who were sacrifice for good Emmy clips.
Maybe they are just doing a ED storyline for couples in their 50’s who deal with this
Do I think they’re going to kill a veteran off? No.
Do I think Michael has problems in the bedroom? Yes.
Blaming JFP is bullshit, and I’m tired of a slandering and libelous comments being made about her. If it’s a longtime coupling, these couples will be the ones affected: Victor/Nikki, Michael/Lauren, Paul/Christine, Nick/Sharon, etc.
If you go to a restaurant and your food isnt right, you blame the chef not the dishwasher. Same here with Y&R, fans point the finger at her and say hurtful things because this “Restaurant” has her name on it and she is responsible for every plate of food [Story line] that goes out the window or in her case, on TV. Dont shoot the chef, fire her!
But it’s defamation and libelous claims; they’re wrong, and deceitful. She doesn’t need to be fired, the fans need to shut their mouths and stop wishing Bell would come back from the dead. He’s gone, and never coming back. If Bell Productions felt like CBS/Sony weren’t providing in the best interest of the show, they’d pull the plug and demand her be taken out of the series, but they aren’t. She’s supported and has done wonders for the years of damage Maria did.
Maybe they should just change Y&R’s music to “Taps”…….
My hubby and I agree.
LMAO! – good idea because it certainly isn’t about the fashion industry anymore
LOL– that is too funny, thanks for the laugh.
Hope they don’t kill Michael off. He is a great actor!
Who knows what EP Jill Farren Phelps will do! What do you think is the reason she may start with Christian LeBlanc. Is Greg Rikart next? Could have an indication of JFP being bigoted or something. Will be interesting to read about. I don’t watch that mess if a show since Michael Muhney was let go and then treated so abominably.
If it is LeBlanc I will be heart broken forever. He has been one of the main characters in the show.. If it is true I will be very sad and I will hope for the best outcome possible. But in all refardsI hope it us not him, don’t want to loose another character on Y n R, lost too many already for stupid stuff like rumors. Keep well Michael. Love yasince you changed into a good guy.
The only reason I watch this show in the first place is because I love Steve Burton. Although I have become a fan of the show. The dumbest thing JP has done is let Michael M.,& Billy M. go. If she lets Christian L. go I am done!!! Steve this message is for you. I love you but I am telling you when your contract is up there go back to GH, DOOL or any nightime drama.
Plz don’t let this wonderful amazing actor from our great state of Louisiana b the one to leave the show! Luv u Christian!
I just wish he’d take Lauren with him. Those two CHARACTERS are really useless to the show. Have been for years. Don’t need them.
And for those of you complaining about Y&R in General, and JFP; the soap is still #1 for a reason…it’s the best soap on TV!!
Exactly. JFP and the headwriters are still cleaning up years of damage; the show is in much better condition than it even was last year.
Not according to the ratings. Y&R is Bill Bell’s show. Michael and Lauren are Bill Bell created characters. His vision made this show a success. JFP’s job is to honor that vision not destroy it.
Bunting, Bell is dead. Harsh but true. Ratings are still strong and Y&R is still number one; she can run the show how SHE wants and is told to. Bell is dead, his carnation of the show is GONE and NOT COMING BACK. Please, move on.
THAT is a good point. Michael, the character may have been on the cutting block for some time. Him and Lauren really have no other stories to tell. Same with Jill, her and Colin’s story is terrible, just terrible! Jill is over too!
If the writers are trying to free up space, why must they kill off a character like Michael Baldwin (Christian LaBlanc is a great actor who should be used to the fullest not killed off)? He is a very intricate part of Genoa City and at some point they will write themselves into a corner and think…dah! why did I do that? There are multiple characters (not Victor or Nicki because they are mainstays of Y&R and after the lose of Catherine Chancellor they have to have characters like Victor and Nicki, Nick and Sharon, Michael and Loren, Paul and Christine, and Victor and Jack, no matter if they get on your nerves at times or not) like bringing back the character of Phyllis or adding Dillon, another son for Nicki, or keeping said son and his wife or girlfriend, Avery, or whatever she is around since they have a perfectly good attorney with Michael Baldwin. Why bring back Adam Newman? He’s been gone and I haven’t missed him. Why is it when soaps show a little drop in viewers they instantly start chopping central characters instead of fixing what’s wrong. Take a tip from viewers and do away from the characters that sap up the story time with their boring lives and let the central characters give the show a boost. If they must do a cancer storyline, can’t they figure a way of curing the patient. Too many cancer patients out there in viewersland would like to see cures…not death…and certainly not of one of their favorite characters.
JFP has been trying to break up Lauren & Michael for over a year already, considering she had Lauren have the affair with Carmine, which fans were so upset about the writers had to reconcile the couple.
It wouldn’t surprise me if JFP had Passanante or Altman give Michael prostrate cancer, which would explain his not being able to “perform” during sex, and his being tired and such. Hopefully it will be a “you can be cured and lead a good life” story rather than a “Michael’s gonna die” story. Many men have had prostrate cancer and lived, but knowing Y&R and their “doom & gloom” strategy lately, they’ll end up either killing Michael off or destroying the marriage (again).
Well, if they do, it gives me yet another reason to not enjoy the newbies (which I don’t already) and be bored to tears (as I was during yesterday’s show barring the Mariah and Sharon stuff – to a point) on a daily basis. It’s sad that, after nearly 40 years of faithful watching, I’m actually talking AGAINST the show these days. What HAS my beloved soap come to?
wolfy
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The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
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Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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