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Jessica Collins Speaks Out About Her Exit From The Young and the Restless!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
While fans of The Young and the Restless are watching Jessica Collins (Avery) give a tour de force performance in her final weeks of storyline on the number one soap opera, the talented actress who wrapped her run in June, opened up about what went on behind-the-scenes that led to her exit in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands everywhere today.
The actress who will bid farewell to Genoa City on-screen very shortly had a very frank and candid conversation with SOD, and shared this on what led to her decision to leave. Collins related: “I’ve been disappointed with the story and the direction and integrity of my character for quite some time, but I was still hopeful we might all be able to turn it around. Then my contract was up for renewal and I wasn’t happy with their offer. I was told there was no room for discussion, which made me realize there wouldn’t be much discussion for the character, either.”
Jessica went on to further say it was very difficult to decide to leave: “The truth is, I wanted to stay on the show.” Collins went on to say that communication sort of broke down, after her agent presented the series with a solution to keep her on the show. But she added, “I had to be really honest with myself, and the reality is… Avery isn’t the character I originally fell in love with playing. And although I was trying my best to make it work, I wasn’t enjoying this new version of her. I went with my gut. It was time to move on.” She also was so appreciative of the four years she had in Genoa City calling it an, “An amazing ride.”
Make sure to check out the entire interview in SOD where Jessica discusses Avery’s rape storyline, and the shift in her character, how she loves the fans, and how she feels about her oh-so-talented co-stars, and more.
What you think of Jessica’s comments on what transpired to led her to leave The Young and the Restless? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
She’s a great actress. I bet she will be on GH shortly!!
she could although the canvas is extremely full @ #GH she is a talented actress and im sure she will find a new role soon!
Yes! Please go to GH! You would be a great asset to them. I could most definitely see you in Port Charles! Go Jessica Go! GH fans will welcome you with open arms.
Silas needs a woman in his life. You would be perfect! Great love story!
Agree. Her being saddled with Steve Burton for two of those four years did not help matters.
I’ll miss her on the show and won’t be watching much longer anyway. I’m glad Y&R’s ratings are up but the show is unrecognizable to me. Good for JC that she stood true to her own integrity.
Agreed!
i knew i loved jessica collins in real life as much as i ve loved avery! when jessica brought so much to her character as avery in terms of shining through as caring and nurturing its only natural in real life shes just as rational and firn in her beliefs!
good for her, she should nt have compromised in her beliefs. y n r heads should ve tried harder to keep this talented and beautiful actress on the show! i will miss her and what could ve become of her and joe!
hope she returns soon when the writers can properly write a story true to her character!
I wish Jessica Collins well in future roles. She’s not a bad actress but I never liked the Avery character from the beginning. I will not miss Avery at all.
No surprise to hear of Ms. Collins’ horrific treatment by Jill Farren Phelps. The woman is a horror. She has her favorites and then she has her targets. Some day this woman will get the comeuppance she so richly deserves.
Jessica, you should join DAYS next! Though it is owned by Sony so probably not a stop you will make, but GH would be good too!
Well Jessica, hopefully you will be able to build on the character you played on Y&R and move on to a brighter future. I agree with you that you were not given a better storyline to act on and no passion or connection with your male partners. A better fit is waiting for you. Good luck.
Jessica–
a great actress and a great part of Y&R with family ties could not nogoschite with the suits..
” I was told there was no room for discussion, which made me realize there wouldn’t be much discussion for the character, either.””
And yet fans think they can get the suits to listen to them and do their bidding ahha yah sure LOL
Thing is.. all the complaints go to deaf ears, even Jesica was not head..
Complaining holds no leverage, wants and needs do not matter, don’t waste time writing..
I believe we will be seeing Jessica in another soap.. 🙂
So true, Su.
They didn’t even consider Jessica’s thoughts about the
character SHE played. So cold.
So, yup, not like the input of fans could make a dent in their
egotistical ways of thinking.
While I think Jessica Collins is a very talented actress, the character of Avery Bailey Clark was ill-conceived from the get-go as created by ex-EP/HW Maria Arena Bell. She was used to usher the now-grown-up (and now dead) character of Ricky Williams and we know what a bust that storyline turned out to be, don’t we?!? Through three other head-writing regimes, the character of Avery changed too much for viewers to care (baking cupcakes & an internet cooking show – REALLY?!?). It took Chuck Pratt and his illogical brand of storytelling to really give mean to the term ‘character assassination’.
I wish you all the luck in the world, Miss Clark – your former character will, however, not be missed.
Avery isn’t the only character who’s been “re-written” by this current regime. I hate the dialouge that Eileen Davidson’s been given. This character you see on screen is not Ashley Abbott. Ashley is now just snarky all the time, and it pains me to watch. Some days I wonder if they gave an 8th grade class a shot at writing scripts, because that’s how bad it is (no offense to 8th graders.)
I completely agree Joe. Would the Ashley we know get into a tug of war with her daughter over a man? It’s disgusting.
GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE G.H. PICKS UP ANOTHER WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS.. Y&R TOTALLY RUINED THE CHARACTER…..AND SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD WITH MICHAEL NOW……THEIR LOSS…….HER GAIN I AM SURE. GOOD LUCK JESSICA!!!
I hope she joins General Hospital as Elizabeth’s sister Sarah Webber!
she is so pretty but i wasnt thrilled with avery both on the page or on the stage.
Her performance today was impeccable and moving.
I find it interesting that Ms Collins did not like the direction her character had taken. See? I felt quite the opposite in that I did not care for this character for the first two or three years of her tenure on Y&R. Why? Because Avery was perfect, little miss Suzy homemaker who bakes cupcakes while holding a law book in one hand and while bouncing that little, over grown cry baby Summer on her knee. Avery was superwoman who could do no wrong, and therefore, she was boring.
But this last year Avery’s character flaws began to manifest themselves and suddenly, she was not perfect, and suddenly, she was interesting.
Ms Collins rose to the challenge and proved herself to be a great actress when given the right material.
If she left a year or so again I would tell you that I would not miss her but I can tell you now that I will miss this beautiful and very talented actress.
I feel the opposite. Having a female character who is nice to the core,
as well as accomplished in a lot of ways, is a good thing. I never found
her boring. And why is she “little miss suzy homemaker” just because
one of her interests/hobbies is baking?
hey Harry..
yyuuuup!
Jessica/Avery was the best she ever was during these past couple of weeks!
Her exit story was the highlight of her time with Y&R..
When was being the Nun Avery and the Miss Cupcake Avery it was a total snore!!
Too bad she got her best material on her way out the door..
She will do well in her upcoming movie playing a crazy mother ..
I agree when MAB created Avery she was tough as nails lawyer who had an axed to grind against Phyllis– loved that she originally slept with Nick just to hurt her sister.
Then shortly after creating Avery Josh Griffith came in as head writer and suddenly Avery turned into like you said Ms. Perfect, all sunshine and lollipops, madly in love with Nick– Then they created Dylan– the mysterious man from her past, and that had potential but Griffith left and Altman the new head writer basically made Avery Dylan’s shadow and not much more– then Pratt came in and changed the character again.
I don’t mind flaws, I just don’t see throwing in a rape and making Joe a big jerk who hits women and Avery a victim of domestic violence was called for. I do think rape and stories of violence against women should be told, but in an intelligent, thoughtful way, not just thrown in as a plot device for the heck of it. There were other ways to break Avery or give her flaws.
In my opinion the biggest mistake they ever made was not exploiting the natural chemistry between Christian LeBlanc and Jessica. If they wanted to break up Lauren and Michael, instead of all that Carmine nonsense or Cane– Michael falling in love with Avery would have made some sense. It is just sad that with four head writers not one of them managed to make Avery, a vibrant character.
On point…….totally agree.
You are so right -I’ve been waiting for that pairing between Avery and Michael and was certain it would happen because of the sparks that were so obvious between them.
It’s not a new all-time low until Great Grandmother Nikki climbs on to a stripper pole.
Inhave loved Jessica Collins since her Dinah-Lee days on Loving. She is fabulous! I hope she joins GH too, after all GH did revist Corinth not so long ago…..
I liked the character of Avery – I’m sorry to see Jessica leave Y&R,but truth be told I don’t like any of the storylines currently running.
Best of luck to you Jessica.
Well like Kenny Rogers said in song–” You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run….”
Jessica endured three head writers changes, and she finally realized it was time to run– good for her.
You should read the whole article if you can I think you better getting ready also for Sage to pick up even more air time to bore us to death. I went to a women’s luncheon yesterday and a former very popular daytime actress set next to me in fact a Emmy winner she has retired now lives about thirty minutes from me got a great earful about how the soapy world really is and she worked for a certain EP great fun. Take care Mary going to be gone a little while again !
LOL, to GH as Nina’s sister? That would be eerily familiar, and she could work as Donna Mills’ daughter… But there isn’t one man on GH I could see her with.
I can see her with Ric or Silas…
No, non, no–let us hope Donna MIlls and Nina go away. Terrible, ill conceived, badly drawn characters,
Yes, Harry. I agree about Donna Mills. Not Nina. She can be saved. If the writers cannot dig Nina out of this rut in which they have thrown her, before she is completely buried….then, yes, Michelle/Nina needs to start fresh, somewhere else.
She has been with y and r for like 4 years now and no room for discussion for her contract. I would have left too
I agree, Lawrence. The poor woman was given no leeway.
Jessica sounds like a really good person. She was definitely wasted on Y&R from cooking to the dud Avery and Dylan pairing. They had her paired up with the one person she had no chemistry with for 2 years. I feel this current regime has wronged her. Chuck Pratt came and completely destroyed the character. There’s very weak storylines on Y&R right now from dopplegangers to pregnancy to baby switches all which are outdated. I fear Y&R will be shoving Sage down our throats which will be unwatchable. She had to go through 4 different writing regimes. I wish her the best
Jessica Collins….you showed your acting chops… I LOVED the sweetness of Avery resting her head on Michael’s shoulder…she ended up being a wounded bird.
GH…take notice…pair her with Patrick …he deserves a great story and a second chance at crazy love… this “thing” with Sam is just stale at it’s best….
hi Elite Advisors.
everything with Sam is ”stale” .. George Clooney couldn’t wake her up/snore
Jessica is going to do a movie and nobody, nobody wants to have any live bodies added to the cast of GH .. lol
su0000….
Pretty sure you are right…even with George Clooney! I really don’t know why they are SO intent on keeping her front and center?
I do agree that GH has way too many actors already that are underutilized, at best… it’s great that GH scored a few big wins with their talent, but at least give them the storylines, and please cut the fat… KIKI really should be first on the list…it’s painful. 🙂
Exactly, Elite…”a wounded bird”. Very well expressed.
That is the crux of the matter, and, I believe, Jessica’s contention. If I read her correctly, she hinted on the fact that she did not like the character/persona she had become. She came in roaring like a lion and out like a lamb.
GH can’t keep picking up former YR cast members. They already are struggling with the bloated cast they have. She’ll be wasted there and given less screen time.
Avery’s character while pushed to the front under Josh G’s pen was never written properly. I prefer her supporting role when she was introduced under MAB.
A fine actress. I see her moving on beyond daytime.
This is a genuine loss for Y&R. Miss Collins is a joy to watch, and Avery provided a perfect counterpoint character not only to her sister Phyllis but to all the denizens of Genoa City who are scheming and struggling. Avery was a light and now there is no one who is that way. Maybe I am off but I thought Avery a Viki Lord type character, one from whom goodness seemed possible.
Exactly how I feel, too.
And I am going to miss her a lot.
I respect Jessica’s candor so much. Her character wasn’t the only one being trashed right now. I wish her much success in her future endeavors.
Oh gosh get in line Sharon has been brought to the bottom of Bb version she was on what four years Case had been on forever and they turned her into a slut kleptomaniac the town pariah! I have a bucket you can cry in I am sorry but veterans of this show have been destroyed this is how it goes down! Good luck but excuse me but every female on this show has been destroyed!
Fans must love em being destroyed they are tuning in to watch it happen.
And since Pratt has entered the ratings have climbed up and up!
Seems many are luvin Pratt and tuning in in numbers..
I only care what I like I do not care to be quite honest if tons of people are crazy about Pratt making every woman a needy whiner is not entertainment. I also don’t give a flying leap about ratings they mean nothing to me it will continue to stay on the air because it has had the same time slot forever and they aren’t going anywhere as long as they are pulling numbers. I also do not wish it to be cancelled but if it ever does and people lose their jobs they will find others. I wish JC much success she will land on her feet.
Gorgeous and talented, and obviously has integrity, something jfp and Prattfall don’t understand.
Thank you, April.
I will miss her God bless in all you do and hpoe you will return
Congratulations Jessica for standing by you principles!!
I liked Avery in the beginning and with Nick, but the character was assassinated when she was paired up with the horrible thing called Dylan (or more correctly Steve Burton).
CarTini did such a hack job with the Avery character, I don’t blame her for getting out while she could still hold her head up…well, with the help of a neck brace!
Jessica i will miss u so much looking forward to a new role on the series u choose for ur next character. We luv u n wish u the best of luck in ur endeavors from genoa city to the next town u live in may u love it just as much as we loved u in genoa city ! God bless
This is going to be a loss for the show. There are other characters and actresses that would not be missed. The girl that ays Summer is a bore and the character Lily is just filler.
I also think Abby is superfluous. TPTB are constantly pushing her front and center. Now, she was given a high executive position without knowing what it takes to run a conglomerate of that volume. Never heard of such a thing…it’s a soap, after all; I need keep reminding myself of that.
I really thought there was some promise, but she is treating this responsibility as a game.
So, yeah, Clare, I’m right behind you.
I hate the writing team of Y&R. The are destroying my beloved soap. They keep getting rid of awesome actors, storylines suck and are boring. They keep repeating the same storylines over and over. Bring in a team that would make Mr. Bell proud before it’s too late. I loved Jessica Collins character but of course they had it destroy it.
I love Jessica Collins. I agree that the Joe/rape story was not her character. I will miss her. Maybe see her on something better. She’s a good actress.
J is a great actress she will find something new and better try bold
Sorry Avery Y&R starting to get on my nerves First Adam now you there are silly …we should just all stop watching VICTOR does no wrong…indoors
Jessica will do well where ever she goes. What a loss for TY&TR. Avery will be missed by this fan.
I have been watching the show since 1975 and alto it has had some great story lines, Victor has had some of the most unreal story lines and gets by with way too much. Nikkei story line odds just stupid. The whole show is getting too off the chain for me. If it doesn’t change soon I can find something better to do with that hour I spend watching!
I love Avery her character is the best a great lawyer and she was going to be married to Dylan but didn’t work out then in comes her ex-husband Joe I didn’t like what she was going through what he put her,through. But don’t leave. I guess you have to do. But if the writer, finds someone who takes your character I hope they are not anything like,you did you know. You will be missed.
They ruined her character as they did Michael, Jack, Vicky, Nikki, Billy, Jill, and even Victor. In fact the bad storylines, shoddy fillers have ruined the integrity of the show and the acting has bece mediocre e.g. The new Billy. Can’t understand the ratings at all. Do they make them up or do they have people whose job it is to boost them by phone stats?
Anne – I totally agree with you!
I Love Y&R. Avery is a great actress I wish her the best.
She and her character never vibed with me so I’m glad she’s leaving. That said, her character did change and do things out of character. Good for her for standing up for Avery.
So, the conclusion I had come to, proves me right. I have had this nagging feeling for the last few months that Jessica’s ‘outlook’ and persona as Avery had gone through a subtle change. I felt as if the acting was forced, not natural.
When she first walked on the Y&R stage, she was a powerhouse of a woman…..a self-assured, assertive attorney, and a loyal friend. But, no sooner than the ‘anointed’ one (Steve Burton) made an appearance (can’t remember who joined the cast first), and Dylan and Avery became an item again; Avery became this helpless, dependent being.
Lately, I did not recognize the character at all. Avery went to hell and back. Rape must be a terrifying, traumatic experience. I cannot even imagine the hurt and humiliation……her self worth shattered into a million pieces. Then again, that is the crux of the matter. The real Avery would have picked herself and the remnants of her pride and wits up, and would have confronted her plight. The Avery of old would not have succumbed to feelings of despair.
I do believe Jessica is hinting on this very fact. I may be steering in the wrong direction; however, she did say, “…..I wasn’t enjoying this new version of her.”
…just my thoughts and two-cents worth.
I agree with you CeeCee! Avery changed after Dylan appeared. She was such a great character before that, a power house as you said. Now, they have destroyed her. .
They have changed many of the characters. Victor was never a cold blooded killer? Michael was always this voice of reason and now they have destroyed him too. After surviving cancer, etc, Lily cheats on Cain with the town pariah. Ashley is after her daughter’s boyfriend who is 20 years younger than her. Devon betrays his father with his father’s wife, etc.
Speaking as a long time viewer, none of these stories make any sense to me? All of our beloved characters have been completed changed. I can barely watch.
You are right on cue, Abruzzfan. I have been watching since my early teens…..it’s been fifteen years now. I do understand drama, I get the fact that soaps can be campy and sometimes step out of reality. But, I have always found Y&R to be steadfastly within the boundaries of what makes sense and no cartoonish dramatization.
As yourself, I am saddened. It’s almost as if the writers are competing with themselves to achieve something that does not exist. Characters in soaps have always done ‘things’ that made me go, ‘hmmm’, but they have ALWAYS been in character….maintened that unique essence that made them appealing. Now?? Cannot recognize it anymore. It is so depressing to watch the bed hopping, as well. It seems that none of these characters ever grow up. They are at a perpetual standstill. Having babes in the mid to late forties…with grown children, no less. Yet, again, I’m too old for my age, as I keep saying. I suppose, that’s why they are called soaps, as Su always says.
I don’t want to whine….I love Y&R…it kept me company for so many years, in school. I don’t want to lose that….and, yet, I will always be drawn to it, even with all the shenanigans, albeit with a heavy heart…..LOL.
I 100% agree‼️‼️‼️ I’m so extremely sic of these writers, on Y&R, it’s like they are writing either in the dark or w/their blind folds on‼️Y&R writers get out now, find another day job, it’s Not working for Any of You, sic‼️‼️‼️‼️
Cee Cee…I know you are not a big Alexis fan on GH, but there was a time when she was a very good lawyer, and both she and Diane were formidable in court. Then they had to have them work for, and sleep with mob.
It seems in both Y&R, B&B and GH they don’t have any strong female characters any more like a Vickie/Erika Slezack (sp?), or Stephanie on B&B. For that matter that seems to apply to strong guys as well. They just emasculate everyone…male and female (does this term apply to females?). And just look at the new crop of characters, or most of those who will be inheriting the mantle…aimless, too privileged, mentally unstable, or too frisky too much of the time. Or they work in bars.
And I did like the Avery that Jessica played when I started watching Y&R a couple of years ago…except for, as su0000 says, the cupcake part.
Hi, Rose…the voice of reason: that’s how I think of you and Fanny…LOL. I respect your wisdom.
No, I do not like Alexis’ behavior. Obviously it is not the character’s fault. She dances to the writers’ tune. I love the actress, mind you.
It just bothers me why TPTB give these well-seasoned actresses/actors such demeaning roles. That entire scene with Julian at the restaurant and then the hotel room, was so infantile.
The same could be said about Michelle Stafford. Look at what she has been reduced to? And, Donna Mills? It’s like watching an episode of THE THREE STOOGES.
Yeah, the cupcake part was so FAROUT completely sooo out of context. LOL.
Again, thank you, Rose….my Mommy’s name….peace out.
I hate to see her leave.but she knows best,it is what it is.Albert
I totally get where she’s coming from. Her character was completely destroyed with this last storyline… whining and whimpering… afraid of the shadows…. Certainly was not the same character she came onto the screen with.
Wouldn’t it be weird if she joined GH….because didn’t she and Billy Miller used to date, but now he’s dating Kelly Monaco – ijs..
I will miss Jessica Collins and Avery. And I like her even more knowing that she walked away from a job she loved with people she loved because she felt the storyline didn’t respect her character. It has been painful to watch words come out of Avery’s mouth that the old Avery would have never said. My mouth nearly hit the floor yesterday when she was sitting on the park bench with Nick saying that she didn’t want to tell him what had happened because “you’re such a good person”. Whaaaat? I know she felt guilt for leaving him at the altar and I know she respects him, but how many times has Nick taken the law into his own hands? It’s just crazy what they have done to her. I know a lot of people didn’t like her goody-two-shoes routine but I think it created a nice balance with all the cray-cray ladies on the soap. And Avery had a bit of an edge – I wouldn’t call sleeping with your sister’s ex angelic behavior. I wish Jessica only the best…and I kinda hope all that talk yesterday about “you better come back to Genoa City” means that one day, she just might do that.
Well said Lucia! The original Avery was a breath of fresh air amongst all the Cray-cray ladies! Ashley and Lily are heading down the same path. Very sad!
You think Sam is Stale..you are wrong..don’t call Sam stale
Is she coming to GH to play Lizzy sister..or will she be a roadblock
For Jasam
Maybe TPTB do actually want fan input, hmmm.
Have you guys done the survey online?
I saw the message scrolling while watching Y and R
yesterday and then later did the survey.
JESSICA, AKA Avery, I only watch the Y&R because my mom watched it religiously and had me watch it with her. (Some how watching it now gives me a feeling of her presence in the room with me). I do not like how the story line is going g either. I really enjoyed the fact that you and Dillon were a good couple, I wanted that to work out. And I do not like how Victor seems to get everything and get away with everything and suffers no consequences at all. What does it really teach people, that it’s ok to do what ever it takes and to get what you want and get away with it. I do not blame you one bit for walking away from the show, I’m thinking about stop watching it myself and I have heard this from so many people. It used to be a great show to watch and keep you wanting to come back to watch more, but not lately.
I think the writers have lost their minds or their touch.
I am very sad to see Jessica leave the show. She is such an
Asset. Y&R should think twice before letting her
go. Y&R has done this with too many of our
favorites. I’ve been watching since the first time
It aired. I feel it’s time to stop watching and being
such an avid fan.
Please bring Jessica back!!!!!
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
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
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
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