General Hospital
SOAPY/Knots Landing: Donna Mills Talks GH Emmy-Winning Role and its Challenges, Greg Rikaart on Joan Van Ark’s Run as Y&R’s Gloria
Two of the iconic stars of the beloved primetime soap opera Knots Landing tried their hand at acting on a daytime soap opera later in their careers. Of course, we are talking about Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark.
The women and longtime friends, played rivals Abby and Val on the CBS series that ran for 14 seasons. Recently, Donna, Joan and their co-star, Michele Lee (ex-Karen) launched their We’re Knot Done Yet podcast where they discuss their time on the iconic show and bring on memorable special guests from the series as well.
However, on Tuesday and on the season 3 premiere of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart (and in their new set), Donna Mills was the special guest. When talked turned to Donna’s run as Madeline Reeves on General Hospital (2014-2015 and brief appearance in 2018), which actually won her her first Emmy in 2015, she reconfirmed her previous statements on the challenges she faced working in the medium, which was the same thing Joan Van Ark experienced when she originated the role of Gloria Fisher, Kevin’s (Rikaart) mother on The Young and the Restless (June of 2004 till early 2005).

Photo: CBS
GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
On her time on General Hospital, Donna Mills explained why it didn’t work so well for her long-term, “I loved everybody there: Frank Valentini (EP), the producers, Ron Carlivati (former head writer) and all the other actors, Laura Wright (Carly) Michael Easton (ex-Silas), and Michelle Stafford (ex-Nina). I loved working with them. But it’s hard work. I don’t know how you guys do it. It really is. The soaps that I did years ago in New York, it was different. First of all, you only did one show a day. Second of all, you went in the the afternoon before and rehearsed, went into a rehearsal room with the director and other actors, and you actually rehearsed. And then, the next day you come in and do camera blocking and stuff like that. So it was an acting experience, but what I found in doing two, maybe sometimes three shows a day, there’s no time to rehearse. I didn’t find that satisfying.”
Mills said she would leave the set for the day, and it all went by so fast, sharing, “I would drive home and go, “What did I do today? I don’t even know!” Then, I end up winning an Emmy. I give actors on soaps so much credit. I mean, it is the hardest acting you can do. And people who do it, time after time, after time, it’s just ‘Wow.’ I have so much respect for it. I really, really do. It just wasn’t something that I felt good about.”
LOVING JOAN VAN ARK
Greg Rikaart recalled, “I remember when Joan Van Ark played my mother on The Young and the Restless, I also know that that was a concern of hers, that the pace was just frenetic.” In addition, Greg would talk about Joan’s pre-scene rituals. Donna Mills responded, “Joan is the sweetest, the nicest, the most loving person in the world.” Greg added, “I loved, loved, loved working with her.”
As Soapy came to a close, Donna revealed that she, Joan, and Michele will be taping some shows of their upcoming episodes of the We’re Knot Done Yet podcast from the original cul-de-sac (fictionally known as Seaview Circle) of ‘Knots’ which is located in Granada Hills, California, in the very near future.
You can watch the full episode of Soapy featuring Donna Mills below. Now let us know, did you love Donna as the evil Madeline Reeves on GH and Joan Van Ark as the original Gloria on Y&R? Let us know via the comment section.
Might we find out soon that Liesl was pregnant with twins? Madeline (Magda) told her one of the sons died in childbirth, but actually gave him away – thus the “Nathan” we currently see?
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
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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