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Judy Blye Wilson Steps Down As Casting Director Of The Young and the Restless!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Noted and beloved casting director, Judy Blye Wilson, who has to be given so much credit for bringing some of the most talented faces to daytime drama has decided to depart The Young and the Restless, where she has been their casting director since 2012.

In an facebook post late Friday, Wilson shared the news with her friends and colleagues stating: “Today is officially my last day at The Young and The Restless.  Yes – I made the decision weeks ago. After thirty years of casting daytime, I feel I need to pause. I am not retiring, just stopping to catch my breath. I have had many wonderful experiences and have made many lifelong friends along the way. I look forward to what the future brings. Love, Judy P.S. Thank you to all for the terrific going away party last night.”

Wilson will be terribly missed by all, as she takes a break from her career in daytime and her some time to herself.  Judy has served as casting director on One Life to Live, Another World, Ryan’s Hope, and her longest tenure at All My Children from 1995-2011.

On-Air On-Soaps wishes Judy all the best, and here’s to what the future brings! 

Share your thoughts and well-wishes to Judy as she ends her run at Y&R in the comment section below!

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Mal Young’s first step as EP is the hire a new casting director!

Good! Perhaps, when Justin leaves, they’ll rehire Michael as Adam.

My fingers are crossed so hard they are bleeding!

I hope so too, he was the best Adam and was their best actor.

I hope not, sorry , he was awful, just awful. If Justin leaves which he probably want, but if he does I wished the bring back the the Adam before Michael, he was good.

sad to see her go. she casted a lot of good people at Y&R. recasting Billy and Adam couldn’t of been easy. Y&R needs to hire a good replacement that will bring in good actors

After 30 years, she deserves a break. Congrats.

Judy was a gift. Known her for 30 years. A real class act. Loved actors and fought for them. She will be missed. M

She has quite the record. Reading this news item, I realized Miss Wilson cast shows I watched and followed closely. If Y&R is changing up, casting is not the issue. I like the actors, but not the writing.

While the woman clearly is experienced, look at the history of her employment.
She was only with Y&R starting in 2012 (roughly a year after Phelps came to the show) and previously worked on at least one soap where Phelps worked (Another World).

I’m wondering if Judy’s leaving is related to Phelps’ exit? The timing is interesting.

I know nothing about the guy replacing Phelps but, for once in the past 5-6 years, I’m not cringing about the choice. This guy is a “blank slate” for me. I’m interested in seeing what he’ll do. Phelps came to the show with a lot of “baggage” about how people viewed her, so did Charles Pratt, so did Jean Passante.

If nothing else, we see something new on the screen in the next few years. I hope the viewers and the network give this guy time to prove himself. In my opinion, there is a LOT of debris on this show that needs to be cleaned up and he won’t be able to do it over night.

Yeah if she is one of Jill’s friends then it’s best she’s gone too.

well

4 soaps are “ailing” debris for each show is suspect

I haven’t been excited, lately

it’s always a rough patch… going on

argh! I love DAYS… I want

bottom barrel I igive

I truly have to think… about each show… and think about coming up with good

and… it’s fruitless

I swear

I adore… this triangle of : GH Kiki/Dillan/Morgan

dang it!

Morgan will forever more… be the Corinthos TUNE IN

I’m telling you the honest truth… I never really thought about Dillan… until he started his job @Crimson

then he met Kiki… all hell break loose

this is steamy

add in Morgs… and he stud muffins

no two ways about it

so… you add… in Ava daughter / Ava son / and… A QuarterMAINe

you have magic stir in and whet

the Corinthos factor in with the best
Kiki… melts me
Dillan is quantifiable HIT

it takes my breath away… and that’s hitting it out of the park

Kristina Parker Aaron roll

i’m caught… Aaron is the best… swimming or shirtless … HOT

Lexie is ALIVE

you know… another huge trio…. Kristina / Parker / Aaron

I’m more caught with… the potential and huge cast… ( not the best.. DAYS gets that NOD )

it’s catch how GH does write… Franco and Liz

SOD issue is in it

Franco and Liz get HEAT

LOL

I love RH

Liz is my heart

this is something

I want this

I was watching Dante… w/ Lulu celebrating their “new” home

I realize I’ve seen Dante in a TUX… and his police garb

but…. he caught me… in that “suit” he’s danged handsome

he could go corporate… and tough it

for new role… Dantes worth it

argh ! I cant even go their… Sonny / Carly – Jason / Sam – Julian/Alexis

IT seems like Julian is written in to a corner… it wonders me… William DeVry has always worked

I liked one of my posts… when I posted…

“Monica and the audience” she – never – misses a beat

she’s timeless…. I don’t notice her work done

she’s beaconing for the rich past

my wish list… I like Sabrina… I truly do… do you look at her figure… shes amazing… gobsmacks me

she’s in love with Carlos and has Michael… that’s big

I love Jeffrey Vincent Parisse…

I want two or more hires

Jax on contract
Skye w/ lila Rae and Lorenzo
Carlos my man main man

DAYS

to this day… I can’t get over the rape story… it catapulted DARKER than fathomed

I will not erase DAYS dvr

I dont’ have much to say… about DAYS cause i’d rather hide my disappointment

Y&R stinks just as well… I hate Victor… the show would catapult OTHER characters if he were gone.. it’d be easy to get in to everyone else… because they kowtow… to character Victor

WHATS THE POINT… blah blah blah… it’s a big piece of ruined pie

DAYS… dag! it captures my heart

I look at all that caught me up… I will not let DAYS go

Salemite be
Leslie Charleson… I thank you… I’d buy you cruises for life

I said… Ava son

triangle… Ava daughter / CARLY son / any quarterMAINe

MEANT Carly son

My main point was

Ryan Quan… who starts features and full time… on the REEL

before and after Olympic

it pains me… as posted… it’s been dire mode

I hang in

Please go to “DOOL” and help the teen scene.

No kidding!

Good first move. Her time at YR has mostly been lackluster and there have been some big duds. Mal Young needs to do more to right the ship!

I celebrate the departure of anyone brought on board by Jill Farren Phelps! Best of luck Judy.

I would love to read… who she all hired on AMC… 1995-2011.

always admit… AMC… was my first real soap

Weren’t those some pretty strong years with the discoveries of Josh Duhamel, Cameron Mathison, Rebecca Budig, Alicia Minshew, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos & Eden Riegel? If she did the casting during that era, she had some real finds IMO.

This is not Amc this is bells soap

Read Patrick’s comment & the article. Ms. Wilson spent most of her career @ AMC from 1995-2011. She was only @ Y&R for 4 years.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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