News
Jason Thompson Talks With ET Canada About His New Y&R Gig, Playing Billy Abbott, and Upcoming Fatherhood!
Courtesy/ETCanada
The Young and the Restless Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) received a visit from ET Canada, when they stopped by the set of the number one American soap opera to catch up with the Canadian-born soap star!
During their video segment, Thompson shared his enthusiasm in stepping into the role of bad boy- gambler-drinker-father-businessman-lover, Billy Abbott, and all that comes with that. Jason also shared that in a short amount of time he is already learning from his new A-list Y&R castmates.
Jason expressed that what he is loving about playing Billy thus far is that he has a really big heart, and that the guy, “doesn’t always make the right decisions sometimes, but he tries to come from the right place.”
As soap fans know, Thompson and his beautiful wife Paloma Jonas are expecting their first child. ET Canada asked Jason if he is ready to be a dad to which Jason replied: “It’s something I have always wanted, and I have an amazing woman to do it with. This kid has already hit the jackpot with her.”
Watch the ET Canada visit with Jason Thompson here.
So, what did you think about Jason’s thoughts on the character of Billy Abbott, and that he is happy in his new soap home? Are you excited for him that he will soon be a first-time real-life dad? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘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
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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’ 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
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
-
As The World Turns2 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
Breaking News4 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
-
General Hospital4 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
-
Beyond the Gates2 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
-
General Hospital6 days agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
-
Beyond the Gates1 week agoRATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘General Hospital’ Score Highest Weekly Viewer Increase
He was probably licking his chops AND shaking in his boots to play Billy Abbott. First, as an actor, how fun would it be to play Billy with so many quirks? His character on GH became stale. They just didnt have anything for him to do until he and his family sadly left the show. Now he gets to play a character where there is always something going on and his cast of characters are legends. Thats the shaking in the boots part! Not only being recasted as a popular character but he has to act with Jess, Eric, Peter,ect. That had to be nerve racking BUT Jason is a pro and he MAY just end up being better than Billy Miller. Give him some time but MAYBE?
I agree.
And actually, I know it is early and all, but I already
do like Jason better than Billy Miller in the role.
Billy Miller was great as Billy BUT Jason Thompson is a way better actor. Sometimes that doesnt matter, sometimes you are successful because of the character but JT’s strength is working with kids and you saw, day one, him and Delia’s scene was great!
Me,not so much.Where,all of a sudden,did he get that deep voice!Nope,don’t like him
I think JT’s already better than Miller as Billy Abbott. JT is a really good actor and he’s charming. Miller also is charming, but his acting skills are fairly limited. In fact, Miller has really been struggling since the Jason reveal and it’s painful to watch him.
I’m happy for JT that he has such a juicy role, and happy for me that I get to see him in a role that already gives him more to do than he had at GH.
Trudy, I was going to go there about Billy Miller over at GH but I didnt. BUT, since you brought it up, I agree, Billy Miller has been sleep walking though his scenes. I dont know if he is bored or what but it has been tough to watch. Maybe its a writing issue? I do know that this has turned out as bad as the whole Fluke fiasco!
hi Timmm..
I feel bad for Billy Miller under the snooze writing of J&S of the Jason character..
He has been written into a coma, he can only act/do what they give him and the material J&S have written for Billy/Jason is horribly dull/lackluster..
At times I can imagine RC writing for Billy/Jason and it would be total high suspense drama not this snore fest he has been given..
Poor Billy probably falls asleep on set, and I don’t blame him, I fall asleep too..
Timmm
I think that Billy Miller just isn’t a good fit for Jason Morgan. Billy has a lot of charm and energy, so much energy that he’s often jittery on camera. All of that worked reasonably well as Jake Doe, but doesn’t work at all as Stone Cold Jason Morgan.
I think that the writing doesn’t help – dragging out the reveal and still dealing with his memory loss more than a year into his tenure is just painful. He needs more story. They could start with him finding himself as a father with both boys and looking for the truth about what happened to Jake on Cassadine Island and to himself, as well.
It looks like it’s painful for him, too. He just hasn’t found a way into this role, but I don’t think it’s a lack of trying. He seems like he’s trying hard to me, but just not finding his character. I think soap acting is a very tough job: lots of lines to learn; one or two rehearsals, one or two takes; and a new director every episode. Reading JT’s exit interview on this site gave me a new appreciation for hard these actors work. So I feel sorry for Miller and wish that the GH writers would just start writing him as Jason 3.0 and target the character to Miller’s strengths as an actor.
@Timmm… I’m in complete agreement with you in regards to Jason’s
stellar performance on Y&R, his character Billy is multi faceted.. He’ll
be juggling quite a few balls at the same time, which will keep it interesting
& Jason interested. Unlike Billy Miller on GH who has been dialing in his
performances of late…
really nice post, Timmmm
1. i’m just so happy to see the Abbotts in front row seats again… Jason Thompson has brought game on… The Abbotts are in full force! I LOVE IT. dang the tired Newman
2. just seeing the pedigree and high brown from which to cull;
Jess Walton : Jill Foster Abbott Chancellor….. whodathunk! ? ! ? her alone is more than enough energy for Jason Thompson acting chops
LOL… I still can’t believe it tho… he’s been awake … since??? last Wednesday … and still no sign of Jill?
Y&R has to rectify this…. so damaging to their own show
otherwise… I’m loving the excitement this is generating… and Y&R needs this
they are #1 by default….
* high brown ; HIGH BROW
Thanks Patrick. They do this on GH to. You;ll see a character and then for no logical explanation they are missing and NEED to be there! Get Jill on set!
Timmm, Nanci, Trudy, su, Fanny,
I have been saying basically the same since the Jason reveal that Billy Miller is not even being Billy Miller on GH (that was when many were saying no one could touch his performances as Billy Abbott). I went back to GH because he was there, but I gotta tell ya, as much as I love Emme (went there for her too), Billy, and of course Maurice, they just can’t keep me tuning in. They have completely ruined any potential that Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford had for any kind of characters as their characters currently are deplorable at best and horrible together.
I love GH but if ABC was looking to get out of the soap business, now is the time! There is not ONE story that I need to follow now or would be eternally scratching my head wandering how it ended if the show went off the air. THAT is a crime!
I disagree. Nina and Franco are doing just fine for me. I don’t care if I’m in the minority. Michelle is ‘doing’ much better as Nina than Gina as Phyllis. However, no one complains about that…..matter of opinion, I guess. I would much rather see Sam disappear than Nina. But, that would be unreasonable. In my opinion, Stafford is a much better actress.
As far as Jason Thompson, I was one of the first to sing his praises. But, he is not the Billy Abbott we knew. And, that’s fine. Jason Thompson is ‘tops’! Love his acting, in any role. Whereas, Billy a Miller is drowning as Jason Morgan. He is a different person, with a different personality and attitude. He will, therefore, bring his own kind of ‘WOW’.
I feel the same, Chrystie. The ones who have gone to GH just seem
so wrong there…never would have imagined before now that Billy Miller
could literally lull me to a nice catnap while watching him. But on GH,
the times I tuned in ( never watch GH), to see him or Michelle Stafford
for that matter, I am totally bored.
Timmm, Nancy, Trudy, Su, Danny and Christie,
I think that Jason did a good job as the nuBilly. I still don’t see him as Billy. I still see him Dr Patrick Drake. The scenes that Billy Miller had with Michael Muhney, during the time leading up to Delia’s death, were amazing. Of course, we agree to disagree. Cheers!
Give him time, give him time. BUT, you may never see Jason as Billy and thats okay to. I just know this, you will enjoy his acting. He is really good!
Abruzzfan – Before I forget, my Italian roots are in Abruzzo (Pescina)!!
I still see him as Patrick Drake – how could you not after his being on there for 10 years, but I see him as a BETTER Billy Abbott then the last two. I was just warming up to David Tom as Billy again and then they yanked him, but I never warmed up to Burgess Jenkins. I see Jason Thompson taking Billy Abbott to new heights (if the soaps continue). I know with Jason Thompson that he can play multi-faceted and that is what we are getting. It will be good. Just give it some more time.
I agree the final scenes with Billy Miller and Michael Muhney were incredible. Billy Miller was so good at playing Billy Abbott because he was able to be charming and naughty yet be a good father. He bores me to tears on GH.
Hi Timmm – Yes, I agree that Jason Thompson is a great actor, and I will eventually adjust and love watching him on Y&R.
Chrystie – Wow! My roots are from L’Aquila… neighbors and hard headed. LOL 🙂
I was starting to warm up to David Tom too just before they yanked him. It was very sad to see them yank the original. I thought that Burgess did a good job playing the darer Billy. Billy Miller won 2 Emmys for Billy Abbott in 2010 & 2013. He was such a great Billy! Even though I think we need new writers at GH, I could watch Billy Miller anyday, regardless of the slow writing.
I love my soaps. Hoping for a turnaround. It is so nice to share with fellow soap friends. 🙂
HE’S A GOOD GUY AND DESERVES NOTHING BUT THE BEST. Y&R definitely hit the jackpot with him!
That was a cute little video. I am HOPING that Y&R will live on for years to come so that we can see Jason Thompson sink his teeth into the character of Billy Abbott. Billy has been on this merry-go-round for a few years now. He is kind of a loafer that does not have a steady job. One of the worst storylines was burning down Gloworm (thereby ejecting the fabulous Judith Chapman from our screens) in favor of that stupid On the Boulevard restaurant that Billy bought and then it just kind of disappeared.
Add to the fact that we used to have Victor refer to Billy as “Billy Boy” every once in awhile, but now it is just about every freaking scene. The time is WAY overdue to let Billy Mature into a gainfully employed father/brother/husband and stop with the gambling. Or if they are going to continue with the gambling then at least show him getting therapy for it otherwise Billy just becomes Sharon (who never heals) and Kevin (who never grows up). Y&R it is time for some character development!!
I agree Chrystie – (thereby ejecting the fabulous Judith Chapman from our screens). We also don’t get to see too much of Michael now either – very sad indeed! Y&R it is time for some character development!!
Jason Thompson is a fantastic multi faceted actor. He will make Billy his own and will be so memorable.
I agree with you, Michele. We all, I would think, had our doubts. Mine have been dispelled, after waiting and watching with trepidation. Jason’s reception has been positive, indeed. This proves that an actor/actress needs to connect with the audience, as do cast members. Jenkins did not….never would have, regardless how much he tried. Too languid for my taste…just my opinion.
Another character who needs to take a hike is Dr. Anderson. Now, I understand that her villainy does not help her much, however, even the most diabolical character, sometimes (Faison; Dr O) find a little place within us, if not our hearts. But, this Anderson woman offers nothing redeemable. Again, this is another nonsensical storyline, where the viewer is treated as an idiot. Why did Nick and Sage have to go through such lengths to delve into the doctor’s past? Golly Gee, in this day and age, where everyone’s life is public knowledge, they cannot find the doc’s maiden name? Ask Dylan…he’s a cop now, right? Ask Victor….the guy can swim both the Red and the Black Seas, reaching the other side hale and hardy……Victor can do anything; has the world at his disposal; he’s invincible ….C’mon!!!! I think Nick and Sage have bitten more than they can chew. Enough of this, please!!
He’s at the mercy of the worst head writer currently writing for daytime. Good luck Jason.