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Joanna Johnson Leaving B&B As She Is Unavailable To Tape More Episodes! However, Crystal Chappell Remains!

By Michael Fairman

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L. Bohm & K Hutchins

L. Bohm & K Hutchins

After The Bold and the Beautiful finally launched its first same-sex storyline and couple, and after Joanna Johnson (Karen Spencer) publicly came out, word is the talented actress, producer, and writer, has to bow out of the CBS soap and the storyline due to the new series she is producing for the CW, the medical drama, Emily Owens, M.D.   The show is set to debut this fall.

And according to CBS Soaps In Depth, as of now, ” Johnson is currently unavailable to tape more episodes of B&B, which is all part of the long-running understanding she’s had with B&B’s executive producer and head writer, Bradley Bell.  That means the broader story being planned for Karen and Danielle may have to wait, for now.  “Unfortunately, Joanna’s time is being taken up with this new show. Her storyline is not necessarily going away, but it’s being refocused,” said a B&B spokesperson.

So what does this mean for fan favorite, Crystal Chappell and her role as Dani?  According to sources, she is staying put and the B&B spokesperson says, “that fans can look forward to continue seeing more of Caroline’s other mom, Dani”

That begs this question, what should B&B do for the role of Karen Spencer?  Recast?  Bring on a new lady for Chappell’s Dani?  Or, just wait for Joanna to return to the role she created, when she becomes available again, and give the mighty Chappell a big story of her own? Let us know your thoughts!

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Damn. Chappell just can’t buy a break on soaps these days!

Crap! I really do like Karen and Danni together so I wouldn’t want a new relationship for Danni maybe just give Danni a “normal” storyline until Joanna can come back.

I’m sad because I was really looking forward to the Dani/Karen storyline. In the short time they have been on screen you can see that they have real chemistry. I hope that B&B waits for Joanna’s return & gives Crystal a big story of her own. Would definitley love to see more of the hsitory with her daughter.

As long as CC stays on my screen, and they treat her and her character respectfully, I’m game for anything!

Crystal Chappell is an awesome talent !!! I vote for giving her a big story while we wait for Joanna Johnson to return to B&B. Love the #DaniKa story and CC can sooo pull off a story on her own. MORE DANIELLE !!!!!

Emily Owens, MD looks like a really good show. Happy for her. Best of luck, Ms. Johnson.

I’d prefer a recast so that the story can go on , but if that is not possible then having a bigger story for Dani would suffice!! Looking forward to her coming back . Looking forward to whatever story /stories unfold whenever they do , I will be watching!! I like what they have done so far!!!

Mighty chappell is right! As long as they keep Chappell on B&B its a Win! Chappell would raise the bar and knock a solo story out of the ball park! She has too much talent to let go!

Crystal Chappell rocks! She can pull off any story.

As much as I appreciate and enjoy watching Joanna Johnson’s amazing talent as an actress and fully support her decision to “coming out” on @BandB_CBS, I think that her character should remain and give Dani, played by the gorgeous and talented Crystal Chappell a bigger storyline with a sec way of getting involved with someone else. I say bring on Jessica Leccia as that mysterious lover. CC n JL have amazing on screen and off screen chemistry that will blow BandB ratings thru the roof. We need that Otalia connection back on our screens. A thought maybe? Thank you!

Talk about a day late & a dollar short. This is a week late. I read this “news” last week in Soaps Uncensorsed.

Crystal to getting a stable full time soap job as to Susan Lucci is to getting an Emmy.

Wait on her to return, CC can be kept busy just referring to her partner for a good while.

Bring Judy Evans on to temp fill the role. Recast for sure. Don’t just redirect now that we’re all interested and paying attention

I would even watch that. Good idea… Lure me away from Days of our lives.. it would not take too much

Excellent idea. Why DAYS… continues to back burner her and Justin… staggers me. I just loved her on Another world… as well. Paulina and Joe Carlino were my favorite couple… along with Vicky and Jake. i almost wish… DAYS would bring in “guest” stars.. from another world. have to add frankie and Cass… Grant…Donna.. the whole show rocked. loved John and Sharlene.

absolutely, loved kim rhodes… with mark pinter… cindy and grant….

Judy Evans… She’d be Hot with, Crystal Chappell…

Please B&B… Do not, back burner… quality. OR, let her Go.

BOTH JUDY EVANS AND CRYSTAL CHAPPELL… BELONG ON SCREEN.

Judi Evans is a great idea. I’ve just started watching this show so have no history, but if an actor is gone for an extended period of time, I feel that role should be re-cast or the SL will die. I remember loving Judi on Another World and would love to see her on a soap I watch again.

I think they should wait for Joanna to return and let Crystal Chappell weave her talents into other story lines while keeping her involved with daughter Caroline. Crystal’s popularity among fans has already proven to the commitment of their story and the characters of Danielle and Karen. Keep the family together.

I agree with your assessment Karla. Why not let Danielle develope her own relationships with the existing character on B&B while waiting for Karen to return?

I swear this is a non catty question–Do they even show these two anyway? I flip toBB to look for CC specifically and all I ever see is Liam, Hope and Steffy.

They weren’t he changed his mind again just like Sean Kanan was suppose to stay I heard their will be some cat fighting between CC character and KKL because Brooke wants Rick with Caroline and Dani can’t stand him! BB is going to continue with the main focuse on Hope/Liam/Steffy so I removed it from my DVR and watch once in a while.

Need to correct my post some I don’t ever think he intended to do much with this couple and they were as you said David never on so who notices if she leaves if he knew JJ was not going to stay why even bring up a story he sure is not the writer his Father was.

I’m with you on that one David. It’s only a 30 minute soap and so many characters to fit into such a short time. Karen/Dani screen time is not often enough or long enough for me to even attempt to watch. From what I have read it can be many days between appearances and that just doesn’t work for me to get interested in or invested in the characters.

Recast with Maura West, but only if they don’t screw her over like Y&R did.

EXCELLENT IDEA ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Mighty Chappell indeed! I sure hope B&B utilizes Crystal’s talents to the fullest throughout the time period that Joanna is away. However, I would love to see Dani & Karen back on screen again, no sooner it’s possible. Crystal and Joanna are good together, and their story was beginning to look like a winner. I’m thankful though, that I’ll still get to watch Crystal on the show.

As long as Crystal has a good, prominent sl, I can wait for her return. But I don’t really care, as long as we stop with the Steffy/Liam/Hope all the time. Sorry, but that is boring. Bring on Crystal front and center. Maybe a flirtation. Of course would love to see Judi Evans or what a ratings coup it would be to surprise everyone with a little something with Jessica Leccia. But whatever they do, I hope it is with Crystal with a prominent story line!

I will continue to watch as long as CC stays on the show. I will miss JJ – I appreciate her acting and I’ve been enjoying the story. I would love it if they hired Jessica Leccia. I love watching her act with CC.

I thought this would be the problem all along and didn’t understand why they were bringing on a partner for Karen when Joanna had other committments.

I think they should just wait until Joanna is available. They can do a story with Crystal that doesn’t involve Karen and Karen can just be in the kitchen or out-of-town, or sick until Joanna is available.

It does sound like B&B knew Joanna had a prior committment so hopefully they planned for it. Does throw a wrench in the story though.

I’m torn on this one. Mostly, I want CC to have a lot more screen time b/c she’s the only reason I’m watching, but I don’t want the answer to that to be hooking Dani up with a new love interest. I was looking forward to the Dani/Karen story and we are still just learning about them. They haven’t been on enough to really get invested in them, but I like that they’ve been in this committed relationship for so long. There are enough stupid triangles in soaps. It was nice to have them as a solid couple. So no new love for Dani. But I can’t decide between recasting Karen and giving Dani a meaty solo story. Watching CC show off her acting chops solo vs watching her in love with someone…it’s a win win.

Please Hurry Back To B&B, Joanna. We Love You! 😀

Brian I agree with you hope JJ returns soon she and CC looks good together in this story.

I love having Crystal Chappell back on my TV and yes, I was so looking forward to the planned story for Dani & Karen. I can understand Joanna Johnson needing to honor her committments, so I am in the group that doesn’t want a recast, just send Karen out of town and have her character off screen.

I like the suggestion of Dani being the protective momma bear and going toe to toe with Brooke over who Caroline should be with. I also want to see Crystal Chappell and Susan Flannery on screen together. I’m sure Bill Bell can come up with one or two storylines to occupy Dani until Joanna Johnson is available again.

Love me some CC!!!

Recast her and carry on.

Cast Jessica Leccia as Karen! CBS could redeem themselves!

Yawn

As a long time viewer I’m unhappy that you’ve chosen to show a lesbian relationship. I have no prejudice against them, but think their lifestyle should be in private. It’s a real turn off for someone my age to watch them. I don’t care to see two women making out. If I couldn’t fast forward through their scenes I’d have to stop watching the show. Please reconsider your choice to keep this story line going.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

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Dominic Zamprogna

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).

On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.

Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC

HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT

Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”

Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”

Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Dom and Liz

Photo: ABC

DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES

In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”

Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”

You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.

Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy  for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

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Mike Manning

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon)  and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.

According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.

Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene,  Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.

WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?

Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”

The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”

MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE

In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.

Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.

So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

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Patrick J. Gibbons

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.

However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.

Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC

FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG

Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!

Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”

MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL

Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).

Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI

PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY

Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”

It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”

A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”

He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”

Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.

So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.

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