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Justin Hartley On His THIS IS US Success: "I Didn’t Know I Was Known As The ‘Daytime Guy’. But This Show Has Certainly Changed The Trajectory Of Things."

March 7, 2017

Photo: IMDB

With only two more emotional episodes left of season one of the hit NBC series, This Is Us, Justin Hartley (Kevin Pearson) has certainly become a household name – with interviews and appearances on many top-notch entertainment outlets and talk shows. Justin has shown just what soap opera fans have known for decades, that this guy is not only mighty-fine looking, but he can act, too!

Y&R fans were disappointed when Hartley departed the number-one soap where he played Adam Newman to the hilt to play one of the leading roles in the Dan Fogelman drama, but were thrilled for his primetime success. The fact that he can still be seen each week on their TV screens is fantastic for his longtime and new fans.

Hartley recently told ET: “I didn’t know I was known as the ‘daytime guy. But this show certainly has changed the trajectory of things.” In fact, he related that recently a fan approached him who knew of his work on the now defunct Passions as Fox Crane and asked, “So, what happened after that? Did you quit?” Far from it! Hartley kept busy appearing on many primetime dramas, and going back to daytime, before nabbing the role on This Is Us.

As to just how good the scripts are each week on This Is Us, Justin could not be more happy and motivated: “There’s also something very daunting about reading a script and being like, ‘Oh my God, I hope I’m good enough to make this work,’ which is where I’m at right now.”

Courtesy/Variety

His role and that of the other leading male characters on This Is Us, played by Sterling K. Brown and Milo Ventimiglia, has given Justin a new view on fatherhood ( he is the dad to 12-year-old daughter Isabella) and masculinity: “It’s reinforced a lot of things I thought before. One of the things I constantly do is try to show my daughter what that is, what that means, what a man does. I try to show her that by example. I want her to find somebody that obviously measures up — she’s wonderful — and that deserves her. And there obviously isn’t anyone that does, but we’ll get close, hopefully.” Justin added, “There’s a time and a place where (being) a father is important, or a brother, or a relationship with a buddy,” he says of what it is to be a man as it is portrayed on This Is Us.

On Monday, Hartley was over the moon, and rightfully so, after the Hollywood new-source that is an institution, Variety featured him and the cast of This Is Us on the cover. Justin tweeted: “Thanks @Variety for the time and the space of your much coveted cover. Honored! I’m gonna get a copy, or 10, or 10 hundred.”

So, are you looking forward to the final episodes of the season on This Is Us? What do you think of Justin’s success? What do you think will happen to Kevin Pearson come the season finale next week? Comment below!

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Guest

GramS

I have followed JH throughout his career with the exception of Passions. When he came to Y&R I was thrilled but I knew it was but another pause before going either back to prime time or on to the big screen. This ensemble cast of TIU is fantastic. Each actor has made their character come to life. I am looking forward to tonight’s episode and the season finale next week. I am ecstatic the show will be on a second season.

Guest

Ray

There has not been a primetime show since “Empire” that has had the buzz this show has received. I love reading and sharing stories on how the characters makes people feel certain ways about life…and death. I am picky in choosing which shows I am going to invest time in watching week after week. I read the positive reviews the show was receiving before its premiere. Since then, I have never felt disappointed. It has been years since an ensemble of actors click on every level. Sterling, Mandy, Milo, Chrissy and Justin are simply amazing. I watched “The Talk” yesterday… Read more »

Guest

I don’t watch the show. Justin is very talented and deserves his success. Still miss him on Y&R.

Guest

Kevin C

Not caught up on This is Us but I LOVE the show and I am so happy for Justin.

Guest

Ravello

I did not watch any of his daytime programs but I love him on this show. He is such a competent actor, his work is so natural. The ensemble casting seems perfect. Sorry to hear only two more episodes. They should rerun the entire season so newbies can catch up.

Guest

nancy dillingham

Didn’t see him when he was the “daytime guy,” but he is really good on my favorite show–“This Is Us.”

Guest

Omar

Cool show..It is a feel good show with lots of emotions..Well written and the acting is top notched!! I always knew that Justin had the “it” factor and would succeed in other avenues..He was a scene stealer over @ ABC Mistress and did a solid job over at Y&R when the show was not very good! I see him making strides in becoming a big star in films!!

Guest

JMER

I used to be a Daytime viewer, more Classic 80s GH than any of Justin’s shows, and tried out This is Us early on. It’s widely known as weekly free therapy on Twitter and is one of my favorite shows along with Queen Sugar and Emerald City so let’s just say that I’ll need to find alternate forms of therapy to replace it once the last 2 eps are over with. It sort of reminds me of Eight is Enough and definitely has a 70s-80s dramedy vibe with an extra dose of tears. Not to say that it’s a downer… Read more »

Guest

Mika

Hilarious! After Revenge, Mistresses and his stint as Green Arrow on Smallville, I always thought he lowered himself taking Y&R since he was a prime time guy.

Guest

xmascarol

I love Justin Hartley and This Is Us is such a wonderful show,I loved Justin in his cute little hat last night wish that is all he had on lol Hey what can I say the guy is hot.I am glad to see that his new show is doing so good,IT is a feel good show and I wish well I could give him a hug,maybe more lol Justin is number one in my book…Justin you are the best

Guest

diane

I didn’t know about him until he started on Y&R. I checked out This is Us because he was on it and I’m so glad I did. It is one of my favorite shows and I only have two.

Guest

TAS

I was ticked off when he started playing “Adam” on Y&R because “Adam” is one of my all time fav’s on the show, makes it exciting and I KNEW Justin would NOT stick around as Primetime is his goal and rightfully so he nails his role on “This is Us” it’s a great show! Still no Adam though and YR is becoming a snooze fest! Did not even have a February sweeps! Starting to think Sussman coming back was a huge mistake

News

Christian LeBlanc Marks 30 Years as Y&R’s Michael Baldwin; Soap Plans Special Episode to Air in January

November 26, 2021

Three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Christian LeBlanc, is celebrating today his 30th anniversary in the role of Michael Baldwin.

He began his portrayal of the legal eagle troubled bad boy back on November 26th, 1991. Since that time the character of Michael has evolved into one of the fan favorites in Genoa City.

Photo: JPI

The Young and the Restless has revealed that coming in early January 2022, Christian and “Michael Baldwin” will have a special episode dedicated to them to honor the milestone.

Photo: JPI

LeBlanc has won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Daytime Emmy in 2005, 2007, and 2009 for his riveting performances.

Photo: JPI

To make the occasion on Friday, Christian and Y&R celebrated his 30 years with a special look-back video of some of his most memorable moments where LeBlanc provided commentary. You can check it out below.

Share your congrats to Christian for 30 years on a job well-done on The Young and the Restless via the comment section.

As The World Turns

As the World Turns and Guiding Light Favorite, Lisa Brown, Passes Away at 67

November 26, 2021

(UPDATED) In just more heartbreaking news in the soap world in 2021, we have lost another beloved performer. Lisa Brown, who was so noteworthy for her spunky and emotional turns as Guiding Light’s Nola Reardon from 1980-1985, and later as Iva Snyder on As the World Turns from 1986-1994, has died.

Brown passed away this week on November 24th at the age of 67 following a brief illness. The news came via the As the World Turns Facebook Fan Group and Soap Opera Digest.

This comes just two months later following the death of her former on-screen love interest Michael Tylo (Ex-Quinton, Guiding Light), who passed away in late September.

Those that followed Lisa’s career know she also starred in the Broadway Musical 42nd Street, while still playing Nola each and every day on Guiding Light.

She is survived by her children: James “Buddy” Nielsen, and daughter Victoria from her first husband Tom Nielsen (Ex-Floyd, GL) in addition to her two grandchildren, Penelope Ruiz-Nielsen and Brayden Hopf, and her second husband Brian Neary.

Photo: JPI

Brown’s on-screen ATWT daughter, Martha Byrne (Ex-Lily) simply tweeted, “My heart is broken.”

On Friday, Lisa’s son, Buddy Nielsen, posted a touching tribute to his mother, where he revealed that she passed away due to cancer.

Buddy shared: “My Mom passed away the day before Thanksgiving after a very quick battle with cancer. This all happened really fast and wasn’t expecting it. I’ve been MIA as I’ve been back and forth between LA and NJ as she has been in and out of the hospital the last couple weeks. This dream we live, we are all subject to the suffering, aging and death. It’s not to be morose but to understand that we have finite time and must take care with what we do and how we do it. To be able to be with someone at their last breath is truly beautiful. We must not fear death as without it we would never be born and experience the 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows. Our existence is both small and vast all at the same time. We are tiny but immense. I know she is here but no longer in her physical form, what we do in love we leave in death. My beautiful daughter and unborn son are her legacy.”

Share your condolences to Lisa’s family, and let us know of your remembrances of this wonderful actress who gave us so many memorable moments throughout her career via the comment section below. But first, watch Lisa in some of her classic scenes from ATWT and GL.

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A post shared by Buddy Nielsen (@budthechud)

News

TONIGHT: ‘The Magic’ Holiday Movie Featuring Kristos Andrews, Katherine Kelly Lang, Charles Shaughnessy, and More

November 25, 2021

You can catch some of your favorite soap stars and notables from The Bay in the holiday motion picture drama,The Magic, premiering Thanksgiving night on Popstar!TV at 8pm EST/PST.

The Magic stars Kristos Andrews (Pete/Adam, The Bay) along with, Charles Shaughnessy (Victor, GH), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B), Brandon B. Brown, along with Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Sally Kirkland and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Ex-Vance, Y&R).

The Bay’s Gregori J. Martin also directed, wrote, and produced this holiday film.

In story, hotshot attorney David Kane (Andrews) has lost the Christmas spirit and closed his heart to love following a tragic loss fifteen years earlier. Now, with the help of his guardian angels, twin sisters Mary Lou and Misty (The Bay’s Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio), David soon finds himself falling for paralegal Carolina Castillo (Alejandra Espinoza) and learns to believe in the magic of Christmas all over again.”

If you don’t catch it tonight, The Magic will also be available on digital and on demand starting December 10th on Popstar!TV and other streaming platforms to follow.

You can check out the trailer for the film below.

So, will you be checking out The Magic? Share your thoughts via the comment section.