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James Houghton, ‘Knots Landing’ Favorite and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Actor and Writer, Dead at 75

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

James Houghton, who was part of the original cast of Knots Landing as Kenny Ward in its first four seasons, and who also originated the role of Greg Foster on The Young and the Restless, and later became an Emmy-winning writer for the series, has died at the age of 75.

However, Houghton actually past away last year on August 27th, but it was not till now that his wife, Karen Houghton revealed his death to the Hollywood Reporter. Houghton died at his home in Encino, California of peritoneal mesothelioma.

On Knots Landing, Houghton starred as Kenny, a record producer who had a troubled relationship due to his infidelities with his wife, Ginger (Kim Lankford). Kenny and Ginger remained on the canvas from 1979-83 until being written-off.  They were part of the core four original couples of: Gary and Val (Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark), Sid and Karen (Don Murray and Michele Lee) and Richard and Laura (John Pleshette and Constance McCashin) who all resided at Seaview Circle in the series famous cul-de-sac.

Photo: JPI

Before his role on ‘Knots,’ in 1973, Houghton played lawyer Greg Foster on The Young and the Restless, the brother of Dr. Snapper Foster then played by William Grey Espy. Houghton played Greg till 1976 and was later replaced by Wings Hauser in the role.

Houghton’s extensive TV acting credits included roles on: The Colbys in the role of Cash Cassidy, Dynasty, Code R, Barnaby Jones, Fantasy Island, Hotel, The Love Boat, and Remington Steele, among others.

While James was well-known for his acting, he also became an Emmy-winning soap writer for The Young and the Restless, after writing stints in 1981 with Days of our Lives and wrote three episodes of Knots Landing in 1982 along with his sister and writer, Mona Houghton.

Photo: JPI

It was 1991 when Houghton returned to Y&R, now as a member of the writing team as a script writer for the soap, and he remained with the series until 2006. James had written nearly 2,000 episodes of the top-rated CBS daytime drama. Throughout his enduring run, James took home four Daytime Emmys along with other members of Y&R writing team with wins in 1992, 1997, 2000, and 2006. James received 13 Emmy nominations in total, and also took home two Writers Guild Awards for Daytime Drama throughout his tenure. Eventually, James landed at Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful and worked for a brief time under head writer, and executive producer, Bradley P. Bell.

Houghton is survived by his wife, Karen, his sister Mona, his mother, Wanda and his children, Daniel and Alisa, son-in-law, Jim, and his grandson, Milo.

Share your thoughts and remembrances for James Houghton via the comment section below.

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What a gorgeous man – back in the 70s and in the later photos. RIP

I must have watched some of Y&R back in the day but barely remember doing so, but I do remember his face. He was gorgeous. RIP…

Omgosh I’m watching Knots on Discovery plus and loved him as Kenny. Very sad news.

I most definitely remember him. I watched Y&R when it started and I loved him as Greg Foster. I also loved him during his episodic TV days. He was always such a strong character. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

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Y&R’s Co-Head Writer Jamey Giddens, Ahead of November Stories and Scripts Debut with Dan O’Connor, Explains How Fall Tees Up Their Plans for Genoa City

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Jamey Giddens, The Young and the Restless

As previously reported on Thursday, September 10, Y&R fans should circle November 11th on your calendars. That will mark the official on-screen head writing regime change on The Young and the Restless, when material from newly-planted co-head writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor begins to air on the number one daytime drama series on CBS.

Taking to X, Giddens backed up all mentions of when his run as co-head writer begins with an electronic alarm clock showing the numbers 11:11.  In addition, up until that time, Y&R fans are still watching the story and scripts from Josh Griffith who stepped down a few months ago from his position as head writer after a lengthy run that started back in 2019.

However, Giddens responded to a Y&R viewer on X, who said they won’t tune back into the action in Genoa City until his and O’Connor’s material starts to air. Jamey expressed that if you are fan of the series, you should tune-in now because before Jamey and Dan get to launch their set of new stories and adventures for the citizens of Genoa City, but they first needed to decide what to do with the story they inherited from Josh Griffith.

Y&R

Photo: JPI

Jamey teased, “Start watching NOW!” Fall in Genoa City set up tons of juicy stories Dan O’Connor and I are lucky to inherit as we begin telling new ones! Let’s watch as a soap fam! #YR”

Jumping into the thread in response was one fan who said to Giddens, “I’m watching, and some stuff is good while other stuff needs revisions, so hoping the revised improves the stories. My future request: can we get Sharon and Adam sharing scenes again? And please let Sharon interact with people beyond Nick 24/7. Shick can happen but Sharon needs more to do. JT said he was filming a good story, so hopefully he isn’t rinsing and repeating with Billy’s mistake but JT seems excited on what’s to come.”

In pretty short order, Giddens has worked as a breakdown writer for both Days of Our Lives and Beyond the Gates, where he is nominated this year as part of the writing team for both shows, in addition to previously being the head writer of OWN’s Ambitions and writing for Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Jamey started his career with Daytime Confidential as a journalist covering the genre that he knows and loves.

As for Dan O’Connor, he previously held down co-head writer duties at General Hospital or as an Associate Head Writer. He also wrote for One Life to Live and made a stop in Salem and Days of Our Lives.

So, can November 11th come soon enough for you? Will you be tuning-in to Y&R leading up to the takeover by Jamey and Dan on the writing front? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Kearran Giovanni Debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Anna Devane’s New Therapist

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Kearran Giovanni

If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.

Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.

One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.

Photo: JPI

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?

Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).

In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.

HEALING ANNA

On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital.  Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.

So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals ‘Class of Season 62’

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Days of our Lives

In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.

The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”

Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).

Photo: Days of our Lives

Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).

Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).

The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).

Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.

The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.

So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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