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

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!
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.
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
General Hospital
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”

Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.

Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
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