Connect with us

News

48

Jerry Douglas Set For Another Return To Y&R!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

John Abbott continues to be in the hearts and minds of the Abbott children on The Young and the Restless,  and coming up on the September 26th episode, look for Jerry Douglas to be back on the scene as the late patriarch of the clan.

In recent episodes, Jack (Peter Bergman) and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) were reminiscing about their dad and wishing he would make another a “ghostly” appearance.  Will he help them in their times of needs?

Douglas left the show in 2006 once the character of John Abbott was killed off.  A move that many wish hadn’t happened.

So, do you think killing John was a mistake?  Would you have liked to have seen him mixing it up weekly with the troubles of his children?  Do you still enjoy him touching base with his children from the great beyond? Comment below!

48 Comments

48 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Killing off John was the biggest mistake ever . The actor is still alive and in good health it seems so why rush things ? should have kept John and did a Gloria Dina John triangle turning Young and restless into a mini Dynasty : here you would have had a good rip off of Blake Krystle and Alexis . You could have had both Dina and Gloria going after John with the help of Victor to take over Jabot . John could have romanced Nikki Newman and even married her . I can just imagine the look on Victor’s face but happy grins from viewers now excited about their soap ! At least we have John back as a ghost but it is not anywhere near enough and our Young and restless hearts are still broken !

I really like this idea. Obviously, it would not have been original but it definitely would have worked — if written properly.

Can I add one suggestion: Dina has been seen very rarely in the past 15 years. Her portrayer, Marla Adams, was good. However, given how little Dina has appeared, I think the part could be recast fairly easily. I’d recast Dina with Elizabeth Hubbard, an actress of the right age whose appearance has been sorely missed since ATWT was cancelled. (I think it is a crime that one of the remaining soaps didn’t snap this woman up when she became unemployed).

Hubbard and Judith Chapman would be dynamite in scenes confronting one another. Also, Dina showed glimpses of being a “schemer.” Hubbard is good at playing that and it work (explaining where Jack got his underhanded ways —- it definitely was not from his dad!). I’d also point out that there is a slight physical resemblance between Hubbard, Peter Bergman, and Eileen Davidson —- not huge but enough that you could “buy” Hubbard being their mother.

I like!

It was pointless to kill him off just to have him popping up around plants and nobody running screaming from the room. And just why Jack hasn’t seen a psychiatrist after multiple John Abbot sightings and convo’s is beyond me.

All Stephanie Forrester can do on B&B apparently-after wreaking so much havoc-is just knock her picture down. Now THERE’S a ghost I would LOVE TO SEE go after Quinn AND Eric…

“I ain’t afraid of no ghost”, dav……besides, I don’t sleep much, anyway. LOL.

Hmmmm, dav. Great observation. Jack should see a shrink; for so many reasons.
Why don’t people go scrambling whenever John’s specter walks the earth? No one else sees him but Jack.
Actually, I would welcome an appearance from my deceased loved ones. I would not be frightened one bit.

OMGhost…i wouldn’t sleep for weeks!!!

I agree, CeeCee. Would be wonderful…

Terrible they killed off character. At least we get to see ghost but not enough,

The situation with Jerry Douglas is just another example of the folly of misguided producers/writers. Almost instantly, they must have realized that killing off the character of John Abbott was a huge mistake. The same thing happened with Stuart Damon (GH’s Alan). So when such a mistake is made and realized, the options include the dreaded “previously unknown twin” storyline or resurrecting the character as a ghost, neither of which is believable.

So often over the years, such producers/writers have shown a lack of respect for veteran (aka older) actors, thinking that the prized younger demographic can only relate to younger models (‘er actors). GH was notorious for casting their aging actors aside (GH’s Anna Lee anyone?) or sparingly and rarely using them, trotting them out maybe 5 times per year (maybe at Christmas), despite their terrific acting skills, and then casting them aside (GH’s Rachel Ames anyone?).

The irony in all this is that Y&R otherwise had a great record of respect for veteran actors (Jeanne Copper anyone? — she was frontburner throughout her tenure on the show). So, for long-term viewers of Y&R, any return of Jerry Douglas will be a welcome treat. I just wish that the soap producers/writers would, in general, offer up a bit more respect for aging actors. Ageism is so unappealing…

Again my dear James. I find myself in a quandary searching my store of adjectives to describe your impeccable, taken-to-heart writing.
I agree that killing John Abbott was not a judicious move on the part of TPTB. And, this is why Jerry is called upon consistently. They do regret it.
As you denote, Catherine/Jeanne lived most of her life and ended it on Y&R. The same could have been done for John/Jerry.
As far as the older cast? I have four living grandparents and a great-grandmother……they are so spirited and funny and a tome of information. TPTB don’t know what they’re missing.
I suppose Victor Newman serves the soap best? What does that tell us? Evil conquers all?
I also have difficulty, James, with Jack. Despicable Jack ( not one of my favorites) turned into a marshmallow? If TPTB are trying to turn him into his father? Well, they are going in the wrong direction.
John Abbott was a noble soul….a wise, dignified gentleman; not to be mistaken with weakness…or a marshmallow!! LOL. later, my friend.

Hello Celia! Thanks for the compliment! I also enjoy your well-written commentary on this topic! You are right to worry about the character of Jack, and your support for the character of John Abbott is admirable. I think most fans are on the same page on this topic.

But you also expound eloquently about respect for, and enjoyment of, the elderly. This is how I feel as well.

I am sure that your grandparents and great-grandmother are so blessed having you in their lives… Take care, Friend! 🙂

C, you hit the nail on the head with Jack. They may be writing him towards being the family Patriarch BUT so far he has been more like the family PASTRY!

James…A-M-E-N to what you’re saying here, Brother!!!!! Also, as far as I’m concerned, killing off a beloved patriarch like John Abbott was (and still is) the STUPIDEST thing that Y&R has ever done!!!!! Morons.

As always, peace, Brother.

Jaybird! Thanks for your reply! It’s at least refreshing to see that the general sentiment around here is the same: this decision was a huge mistake… Take care, Friend!

AMEN, James. You know, I recently read a post which read, I’m paraphrasing, that we need to accept that the “older stars” just can’t “carry a story” the way they used to. I guess this represents much of the current, diseased thinking that runs through society in general. And they couldn’t be more wrong. How much more of Summer/Luca type nonsense must we endure until someone gets the message?

Soaphound! We meet again! Thanks for replying! It’s sad that some view the older actors (and older people in general) with such disrespect and irrelevance, as you have related. Brilliant critique! by you: “I guess this represents much of the current, diseased thinking that runs through society in general.” And don’t get me started on Summer…

James, great post. I said for years ONE of the big differences at Y&R over GH is they respect their history and employ and write for their legacy characters. If Melody Thomas were on GH all these years, she would be buried and forgotten just like Jackie Zeman and Leslie Charlson. What a shame!

Timmm! Thank you! Then what you have been saying for years is absolutely correct! And, yes, thankfully, Melody Thomas Scott (and Eric Braeden, for that matter) are lucky to be where they are… Best to you, Timmm!

Didn’t watch John was killed, but love his visits.

Same. I agree with you.

Yeeees!!!! I love, love, love, Jerry. When I see him on the screen, it seems everything’s fine with the world.
Perhaps John can kick Billy in the butt, giving him some perspective on life, AND, wake Jack from this indolent stupor he is in, by boxing his ears, and good!!

I have an idea, Celia. Since John Abbott now has “supernatural” powers, let’s ask him to bring Billy Miller back to the role and get things back on track. And maybe he could bring back Gloria, Fen, Avery, while consigning Summer, Luca, Bethany, Stitch, and sweet little Max to the scrap heap.

Oh, my dear friend, Soaphound…..I wish!!

I totally agree Soaphound. I love when they bring Jerry Douglas back to the fold. I use to love watching in the eighties. His character was such a wonderful father. He had great inreraction with his kids. I always get a happy feeling inside when has his heart to heart with Jack, and Ashley and Billy for that matter. And I would love having Gloria back. I miss the way she would drive Michael and Lauren nuts. It would at lest get Lauren out hiding. And in response to your Stitch, Abby, Max, Luca, Summer, Bethany commet, to quote Family Feud good answer, good answer. And on a side note when John Abbott is using his specil powers for Billy, Gloria, Fen, and Avery, let him get Gloworm back for Gloria. Ioved when she was running that restaurant. She seemed so in her element. Thanks for listening, and sorry about the rambling. I sometimes get to caught up in the moment. But you made some wonderful points

I dont know that Billy sees “Ghost John?” This is why Jerry should have never been killed! Can you imagine John chewing scenes with Jill again? Victor? Dear Ash? His little girl Tracy!

John may start ‘jolting’ Billy unseen, Timmmy. LOL.
Jack will never replicate John. PASTRY is right!!

I’m still mad that the writers killed off John; completely necessary.

Killing off John Abbott was a very stupid move. Never figured out what the reasoning was behind it but the other part that sucks is that they never “undid” the dumb mistake they made. Crying shame if you ask me.

Biggest mistake they ever made. Killing off John Abbott

I wouldn’t have minded the show killing off the character if it had paid off with Gloria becoming the lady of the mansion, kicking all the Abbott children out, and becoming a real villainess (with the reveal of the tainted face cream plot forever looming in the background). Instead Gloria was turned into a cartoon and we got saddled with endless visits from the late, great John Abbott.

My biggest problem with characters making guest appearances after they are killed off is the same one I have with shows like The Vampire Diaries: the actors continue to age even though their undead characters shouldn’t.

Like with Delia (the aging part). It’s more noticeable with kids.

I never noticed any Vampire Diaries characters aging. They all looked pretty much the same to me. Funny though because Paul Wesley said he didn’t want to do the show for too many years because at some point it would be ridiculous for him to be 17. They always looked like they were late 20’s or more to me. Should have had them meet in graduate school instead of high school! (Loved the show as well as True Blood and The Originals). Oops ! I return you to your soap talk!

I love Jerry and the character he played/s! There is something inspirational and for me quite emotional when he appears on the scene.

Killing John Abbott was a huge error in a decade of odd turns on this once elegant and stately of all daytime dramas. I miss Mr. Douglas’s regular appearances and the strong family vibe that once defined the Abbotts. And now, with so few grandchildren meaningfully on the canvas, it seems we can never again enjoy that tradition.

HUGE MISTAKE TO KILL OFF THIS CHARACTER…..THE ABBOTT FAMILY THE WAY IT USED TO BE WITH JOHN AND TRACY IS MISSED…..

Killing John Abbott was just as bad as GH killing Alan Quartermaine. NOTHING good came from either of their deaths!

I can’t wait for them to bring him back ,even if it is his ghost. I love John Abbott. What a bad mistake it was killing him off. Just pointless. We need to get our characters back. Tracei Abbott,Lauren Fenmore, how about a guy for Ashley? A little more Kevin, Mariah, Jill, Colin, and a lot less Summer and please send crazy Chloe back to her mental hospital.

August 18, 2006 John was killed..

So== who was responsible for killing off John?

John F. Smith 2003–06
Became co-executive producer with William J. Bell and David Shaughnessy while still serving as co-head writer with Kay Alden and Trent Jones (until 2004). Worked as a writer on the show since the early 1980s. Still maintained the co-EP title after William J. Bell’s passing in 2005. Stepped down in 2006 as EP while remaining as co-head writer until November 2006. (John killed in August)

Lynn Marie Latham 2006–07 Brought on as a “creative consultant” under John F. Smith in November 2005; Latham would later fire Smith as co-head writer in 2006.
Promoted to head writer with Kay Alden and Smith in February 2006, then promoted to executive producer, becoming the show’s first female EP in October 2006, after the show went that summer without an EP.
I like when he guest appears, even if in Jack’s imagination ..(he is not a ghost)
looking forward to seeing him, once again ..

Y&R has a history of killing characters that are central to story way too soon. And sadly all were tied to the Abbott family. First John. Then Colleen. Then Delia. And recently Jack’s balls!

johns was the worst because it left a hole that forces us to see central characters act like loony toons by talking in coffee shops, elevators, offices and the GCAC and talk in public to themselves!

When are we going to see a central Newman killed off. As much as I love Nick or Victoria, either one would make a perfect foil to any Victor story by killing one of them off. It would gut Nikki, crush Victor and even cause the remaining siblings struggling to understand the afternath of losing a sibling.

Too funny, Paul.
There were several Newman miscarriages. Do those constitute as deaths?
Cassie was killed off. She wasn’t a bio Newman, but neither is Ashley Abbott, a bonafide Abbott.

So let’s say that Ashley’s doctor, Simon Neville, was actually in Genoa City back on August 18, 2006, when John Abbott was “killed” off….after he was taken off life support, and everyone left the room, a younger Dr. Neville, was wrapping up the final “death” details, when he noticed that John still had a pulse…..Dr. Neville was then able to whisk John away to his private clinic to where he has been taken care of him all these years. So the “ghost” that his children have been visited by over the years, are just the Abbott children need their dad to be there for them. In a couple of months, I see John, getting better and he miracleously recovers and makes his way back to GC where he resumes his life and Gloria returns to claim “her man”……i know it’s far fetched, but I would overlook this, if we could have Jerry Douglas back on our screens for years to come…..maybe Mal Young reads these posts and will make it happen…I mean Eastenders brought back Kathy Beale 10 years after she “died”….i’m sure there’s room on the canvas for John Abbott……and we’d get the return of Gloria, Dr. Neville…just throwing it out there….I would totally buy this storyline…..

great idea.!..
great minds think alike…
i posted a similiar plot but with tracey involved… see below
but i like yours better… anything to have john abbott back

would nt it be amazing if tracey was keeping the real john and colleen hidden after all these years from the same villian who had threatened brad and his mother all those years ago when it was revealed brad was keeping his real alias a secret?!… sounds pretty lame but i d suspend my disbelief to get john and colleen back on the screen…
john abbott and his children are the heart and soul of y n r … i meet jerry douglasin real life once… the mans a legend… that hack head writer at the time LML was so shortsighted to kill him off…they even brought him back as a doppleganger.. wat a sick joke. moron.
they found a way to bring back cane after they killed him off. and he s useless except to 10 vocal fans.. surely tptb can find a creative way to bring jerry and john abbott back!!1

Yeah, sounds good, damien.
I also think Sami is keeping Will and EJ ( DOOL) hidden, somewhere in Switzerland. LOL.

lol
..than i could watch days again?

Yes killing John Abbott off was a terrible decision.
That being said – having him come back from time to time as a ghost or Jack’s conscience ,I’ll take it !
Love Jerry Douglas and always look forward to his returns.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

48
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x