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It's a Milestone Week For Y&R and CBS Daytime! Soap At Number One For 24 Years!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

This week has been an unprecedented week for CBS Daytime and in particular for The Young and the Restless!   For 1,248 consecutive weeks, or 24 years, Y&R has been the number one daytime drama, according to the Nielsen live plus same day ratings. Y&R began its stay in the top slot way back on December 26th, 1988!

In addition, The Young and the Restless has also been #1 in women 25-54  key demo for 302 of the past 303 weeks and first in women 18-49 for 297 weeks out of the last 298!

Now as for the entire CBS Daytime lineup, it has also now been the #1 network for daytime programming for over 26 consecutive years beginning with the 1986-1987 season.

So, what do you think of Y&R’s staying power at number one?   Do you think it will ever be eclipsed?  Is CBS Daytime with Y&R. B&B, The Talk, The Price Is Right and Let’s Make A Deal your daily destination?  Let us know!

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I’ve stopped watching and I doubt I’m the only one. MAB was an unmitigated disaster and Jill Farren Phelps is even worse, something I didn’t think possible.

It’s the last years of All My Children all over again.

Y&R can only stay number one under this current regime if the tv is turned on to the show in prisons and waiting rooms across the country, without giving people the option of turning it off.

Replacing MAB was imperative. Replacing her with Phelps was a disaster.

Congrats Y&R!

Congrats to Y&R. I have been watching since the beginning, warts and all. I am liking the new sets, new music, and other changes that are happening. Can’t go a day without watching. I am still addicted after all these years and I am 55! Keep up the wonderful work!

I am with you luart- I like this soap and I don’t understand why some people think it is so bad, but I guess we all have our different tastes. I thought the recent Newman party at the Penthouse was a hoot. I didn’t even mind some of MAB stuff- like when Billy bought a baby for Vicky and it was Lucy- what I didn’t like was they revealed it too soon. Lucy should have been a teenager before the secret came out- which on this show would have only been a year or two wait for us viewers. Has the show seen better days, probably, but truth be told I forgotten more I remember- for me it is about now and right now I like what I’m seeing.

Y&R is the only thing I watch (via DVR) of CBS’s daytime line-up. And there are days that I either skip watching or fast forward through the show. Sharon needs to be sent off to the countryside for a rest, the character is just weary. Cain and Lily have to be two of the most snooze-worthy characters ever created. Don’t even start about Victor. Arrogant, insufferable, holier-than-thou, pig-headed can only begin to describe him. We know where Jack’s story is going….pill heaven. Trucker is useless.

It would be interesting to see Kevin & Chloe actually be reduced to living in Billy’s trailer and together making their way back. Or are we going to have yet another Kevin as criminal plots?

I doubt Jess Walton is back for the long haul…..do something with her character while you have the chance!

Michelle Stafford is such a powerhouse. But she needs a break too from the man-go-round. Leave her relationship with Jack platonic.

Michael Muhney is another goldmine. Just pull Adam out of Sharon’s soul sucking orbit.

To answer THIS question: “Is CBS Daytime with Y&R. B&B, The Talk, The Price Is Right and Let’s Make A Deal your daily destination?”

I am a soap girl – that’s it. I don’t watch TPIR (though I used to) and I never watch THE TALK or anything that comes on after that. I have two little ones and, in one of the BEST decisions ever, we got rid of Directv last January. We rely on an HD antenna. When the wind is right for the livingroom , I get CBS to come in and I can watch live otherwise my day consists of Netflix streaming for the boys and whatever PBS channels come in. I have to Tivo my shows on the bedroom TV and watch when the kids go to bed. I watch all the soaps except DAYS.

I don’t know what Y&Rs chances are for remaining number one. It would be nice to have a crystal ball to see into the futures of ALL the soaps to see whether they will even be here in five years, but I do not have that luxury. So I don’t think ratings matter at all as long as the networks continue to do what they want without a care for the fans of these shows. 🙁

Y&R is as exciting as watching paint dry these days. It’s a shell of what it once was in the first half of its 39 years and its audience is a fraction of what it was 24 years ago. In 1988, the lowest rated daytime soap probably had at least as many viewers as Y&R does now.

Considering that there are only 3 other soaps on now to compete with, it’s not that big of an accomplishment anymore. This “milestone” is now akin to being the only large tree remaining in a barren forest. To be #1 in the 1960s and 1970s (ATWT was #1 for 20 straight years) when there were around 15-20 soaps on – now THAT’S an accomplishment.

The Y&R will always remain on top no matter how terrible/boring it can be..
It is shown in 32 countries as is B&B, also ..
They are the only soaps shown internationally ..
OLTL and GH both have been better and are better than Y&R n BB, but they are not shown internationally..
It is impossible for a soap to remain #1 for 24 yrs without something being different and that is- they are shown internationally ..

I don’t see how being shown internationally affects the ratings in the States? I thought you guys have something called Nielson ratings, where about 5000 people have black boxes and these 5000 household determine ratings. I live in Canada and we had all the soaps here AMC, OLTL, GH, ATWT, GL, etc. and shows that are popular here and had great ratings aren’t always the same as the States, but I never known an American network saying ” lets keep this show on the air because it is big in Canada”. So I don’t think international appeal has anything to do with how successful a show is in your own country. You guys are the ones who have all the power. If soaps are cancelled in your country, there will be cancelled in ours as well.

a show being successful internationally might give you bragging rights but considering it would put you in the company of Baywatch, i wouldn’t do much bragging.

I wonder- in the next couple of years, when there likely will be only 2 or 3 soaps left, will they still keep congratulating Y&R for being #1? LOL.

Spin is spin- it is like pictures that win an Oscar for best make up promote the film as an Academy Award winning film- they aren’t lying, but they aren’t exactly telling the whole truth either. Even if this was the last soap on the air they would promote is as the “one and only daytime drama to watch”. Sometimes advertising is hoot.

This article, and accomanying national exposure, prove what I’ve always said about the remarkable reign of Y&R at the top of the soap heap; it is the template for all others. The soaps that aren’t on CBS should really take a close look.

Love Y&R. It is the reason their is still a soapopera genre left.

I can only talk about Y&R by comparing it to is sister soap B&B. First, I find that CBS soaps focus too much on weddings and breaking up couples; we know B&B loves triangles. Y&R has better writers and when the characters are not bed hopping, at least we get murder mysteries, business takeovers, romance, lust, and medical issues, etc. The twists in storylines make you take notice and on occasion, you get surprises. Y&R does focus on the Newman family, but you get fresh faces introduced to the family and it keeps the soap growing. No such thing on B&B. B&B focuses on one family the Logans, and you get nothing but sleaze. I am so glad they bought Abby back. A good soap needs the veterans, their adult children and aging grandchildren to survive the different generations of fans. Storylines have to be independent. Summer time used to be the time for the young romances and once fall hit, it was back to the veterans. But at some point you have to develop the next generation, as the veterans will someday retire or worse. What do you do? After Victor, Nikki, Catherine, and Jack, etc. Y&R has Nick, Sharon, Phyllis, Vicki and Billy, etc., to take them thru the next set of viewers. What do we have on B&B? We got sleasy Rick and a new man for Brooke. C’mon!

I truly believe that CBS should fold B&B into Y&R. Tucker McCall can buy Forrester Creations and run it from Genoa city. Victor was lost in LA for a while, he could take over FC. Might be a little awkward having $Bill back on Y&R as another character, but we’ll get used to it. Just take the better actors and call it a day. B&B is no Y&R and we don’t understand why. And as we speak, the triangle is warming up again!

I agree that they have to get the younger generation established in order to be the vets of tomorrow. Victoria, Nicholas, Sharon, Lauren, Billy, all these characters and more started in a teen story line. My objection was they aged Summer and Fen too quickly and too much- I think their story line of cyberbullying would have worked in the 11-13 age range. There are many talented young actors- but instead they hired people in their twenties to play 16 because they don’t have to provided a teacher and school on set. I wouldn’t want to merge B&B and Y&R together- character cross overs are okay, but as you pointed out they are two very different soaps with different styles. If one or the other got cancelled I’m sure they would find a way to incorporate some the characters of one into the other like ABC did, but merging together- I don’t think it will happen.

Mary!! A fellow Canuck!! Where do you live??

Ashlee- I live in Southwestern Ontario-

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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