News
Maria Arena Bell's Farewell Message On Her Ousting at Y&R, "I was not give a reason, and in fact I have heard nothing from Sony or CBS!"
Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
“As the Dust Settles”, could be the name of the soap within the soap with all the back stage drama unfolding at Y&R this week. As fans know, yesterday it became official that Maria Arena Bell was let-go in both her capacities, executive producer and head writer. In her place comes Jill Farren Phelps as EP and Josh Griffith as head writer. Bell took to her facebook page to let her initial feelings be read by fans of the series, and her colleagues. Below is what she had to say citing she was “mystified” at the decision and that no one at Sony or CBS gave her a reason why she was being terminated in both positions.
Maria Arena Bell : “So it was announced today I am leaving Y and R. .. the show I have loved so much for so long. It is the legacy of my father in law… my mother in law… and all the Bells. The show has been my heart and soul. I loved working with the most talented writers in TV who were also the most wonderful human beings I know. T hey became a second family and my best friends. I loved the cast and crew. I am extremely sad to go because there are more stories I could have told. So much more I wanted to do. My ratings are strong… each week stronger than last year. T he show is in a great place creatively. We are number one by the greatest margin in the show’s history and have been consistently while I’ve been there. Under no one else’s tenure as head writer exec producer have we won every demographic for so long. I am just shy of five years at the helm. I t has been an amazing ride. So why am I leaving? I am mystified as are my cast and crew. “There have been a lot of tears shed in the last few days… by me and by my loyal staff and by our iconic actors,” she continues. “I was not given a reason and in fact I have heard nothing from Sony or CBS.
They sent me a message through my husband Bill who had the terrible job of conveying that they’d gone around him and were letting me go. I fought hard for my vision and to keep the show on track with the characters that matter to the audience. Maybe I fought too hard. But I am glad I did. I never compromised on what I believed in. I never dumbed down the storytelling. I walked in the door at Y and R in 1988… as a young writer getting her first job. Today I leave there knowing it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I love you Y and R. Your story was my life story too. And to Victor… Nikki… Jack… and Kay… I will miss you.”
So soapers and Y&R fans, what do you think about Maria’s farewell message? Let us know your thoughts after reviewing her comments!
Well if their were tears out of Sharon Case they were tears of joy what you and that hack Hammner did to her character is criminal!!!
I love your comment. I agree 110%. Sharons character was DUMBED DOWN for the sake of that awful Chelsea and that bhorrific Chadam pairing.
Perfect comment “kay/kay”! I still get upset thinking about what they did to Sharon.
I did find it odd that during the Emmy broadcast she spoke about how she felt like she was being constantly chased down by the “Indiana Jones ” rock rolling behind her back. In other words, there’s a lot of pressure on her. However, I did not hear her mention all of the other writers, actors, crew, office staff and producers who also had the ball rolling behind them. Soaps are an intense collaborative effort, and to not acknowledge the people who are holding you up, bothered me no end.
Good ridden’s -she was awful!
Well, I am glad she’s gone. I know a lot of fans are as well that have expressed how unhappy they have been with the writing. Case in point, the character of Sharon Newman. She has distroyed the integrity of that character. She also writers plot driven stories rather then character driven stories. I for one am glad she is out. Maybe Y&R can finally get back to the show it once was.
Glad she is gone, hope JFP comes in humble with the veterans. She can be a monster when it comes to the vets. Time will tell!!!!!!
Maybe Maria Arena Bell should go look for a job on THE CHEW because she sure sounds a lot like that Carla girl whose comments received over 150 replies (on this website) to her craziness and delusion.
You can tell this woman is very full of herself.
OMG, MAB is totally delusional. Never dumbed down the storytelling? Biggest margin in the show’s history? Over the past 5 years, there has been little to no positive feedback about anything about Y&R. As far as I am concerned, MAB picked up the torch of destruction where LML left off, and unfortunately for all of us decades-long Y&R fans, JFP is going to be the final nail in the coffin. I am saddened that Sony had this opportunity to right some wrongs and hire some new creative talent to run this show, someone who understands the show’s history and the characters’ motivations. Instead, they hired someone with a proven record of show destruction.
I see Maria going to Y&R’s sister show the Bold 3 Show JFP was the beginning of the end of Guiding Light
Maybe now the show has a chance of being as good as it used to be!
You must be kidding, clearly you have no idea what JFP is about…
Well, she was “mystified” & had no idea what was happening etc. How did Melody Thomas Scott feel last year when she was just sent home & never heard a word from anyone about HER status? Shoe’s on the other foot, huh Maria?
Actually YR has lost viewers since last year just becaus e your #1 doesnt your not bleeding viewers. Later MAB
MAB is something of an enigma. When she first showed up, fans loved her–she fixed the Katherine/Jill/Cane mess, brought Ashley back to the show, and most of the actors had nothing but good things to say about her. And she seemed, honestly, to be a nice woman who stopped listening to fans and paying attention to the ratings. How could she not see that the show bled over a million viewers? I don’t understand what went wrong, but now we’ll all get a chance to see a true hack, JFP, at work.
Has anyone heard if Hogan Sheffer will still be around? Because I’m no fan of his writing and won’t expect any improvement if either he or Hamner are still around.
Who cares……………..
You haters can suck it! Try to argue the incredible stats that she named off in her message above. I loved the storylines during her tenure at Y&R and am hoping that the show will continue to be the template that all others aspire to be under someone else’s creative vision. Thank you, Maria!
Not much for quality in your viewing pleasure, eh Kalamaty??
Perhaps a floating plastic grocery bag in the distance is considered entertainment by your standards…
MAB was a hack – she decimated many a character with preposterous situations (death by volcano; Ashley carrying her unborn dead fetus; Angelo & Angelina;) and worse yet, she retconned many classic Bill Bell tales by SORAS’ing characters’ offspring to the point where the timelines made no sense!!
The evil is gone – let’s see how this plays out – the masses have spoken!!
Oh boo hoo. I don’t feel sympathy for her at all. Bye!!!!!
Neither do I! They should have gotten rid of her a long time ago. Hopefully, Y & R will improve significantly in her absence.
It should improve. Maria should have been sacked back in 2010. She’s taken a character-driven series and made it all plot, which is not a soap opera, especially a Bell soap.
Hammer is gone, they haven’t said about Sheffer, but I doubt Griffith will want him around.
Sorry *Hamner
THis will kill the show Jill will f it up bad!
OMG! FINALLY! This just put me in the best mood! Seriously, Maria Arena Bell is delusional. She was a HORRIFIC head writer. There have been NO compelling storylines within her tenure at Y&R and her talking about the Bell legacy is a JOKE, since she almost ruined her father-in-law’s creation. Hopefully we get some good headwriters now, that know how to entertain an audience, use veteran characters in a way that is a beneficial, and put an end to endless quicky weddings and one-night-stands viewers have been subjected to since MAB came on.
This is all devastating news that Sony/CBS appear hell-bent on closing the door once and for all on the brilliant art from that is the dramatic serial. Bill Sr. must be turning over in his grave. The magical, mythical place that is Genoa City, WI, a lush, wonderful, unique escape for 42 minutes every day has been on a tumultuous decline since the control of the ship was handed over in the 2000’s to LML (disastrous) and then MAB (initially promising but ultimately disappointing) right down to the loss of brilliant casting director Marni Saita who never cast anyone for their looks but rather chose appealing, complex and skilled actors for every role. The shift in focus off of such things as core families and veterans, family unity, a good mix between young and old, happy times and sad, stability/dependability and lunacy/uncertainty, and the killing off or writing out of such beloved, complex and compelling legacy characters as John Abbott, Drucilla Winters, Brad Carlton and now Ashley Abbott (the spectacular, under-used Eileen Davidson) in favor of the psycho of the week (Patty, Sarah, Daisy, Ricky), plastic surgery look-a-likes (Sheila/Phyllis, Patty/Emily, Lauren/Sarah), rampant wasted and poorly-timed SORASing (Kyle, Fen, Summer), reverse aging of character re-casts (Diane Jenkins), character destruction and inconsistency (Sharon, Neil), incestuous inter-generational and age – parental – role model inappropriate pairings (Victor/Sharon, Jack/Sharon, Phyllis/Ronan), wasteful stunt castings, and annoying shrill side-show diversions (Angelo/Angelina) have all combined to be more than any loyal viewer can bear, severly watering down the experience that is Y&R, and making it difficult to continue caring and watching regularly as much as one might want to. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the only way to save this show (and therefore the few others that also survive) is to hand the reigns back over to Bill Sr.’s brilliant protege, Kay Alden, as head writer or someone else like her with her unique skills, values and vision. Shift the focus back onto core, legacy families and characters, character-driven story with consistency and character growth and evolution, slightly slower pacing and build with long term pay-off and more. The emotionally compelling and rock-solid heart and soul of Y&R today: Michael and Lauren as played by the incomparably magical and appealing duo Christian J. LeBlanc and Tracey E. Bregman. One positive being left behind by MAB: the redemptive love story and character evolution of Adam and Chelsea which is a gold nugget in the canvas right now (Melissa Claire Egan is a star). Other reasons to watch: Jeanne Cooper, Jess Walton, Eric Braeden, Peter Bergman, Melody Thomas Scott, Michelle Stafford, Doug Davidson, Lauralee Bell, Tricia Cast, Greg Rikaart, Joshua Morrow, Billy Miller, Christel Khalil, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Marcy Rylan, Beth Maitland, Judith Chapman, Ted Shackelford, Kevin Schmidt and others I know I’m forgetting. I’ve no idea of the corporate and Bell family politics involved behind the scenes of this emipre and of course this is a business that must ultimately turn a profit, but hopefully between CBS, Sony, and the superstar Bells there is still someone who truly understands why Y&R has been #1 all of these years and has stood far and above all of the rest as the gold standard of the genre. We can only hope.
I just want to comment on how beautifully written this ^ was. I truly enjoyed reading this. You should consider freelancing for whatever soap site accepts work like that. Kudos to you!
I’m a newer viewer to Y&R since OLTL and AMC were cancelled (I figured I’d pick up another show in solidarity for the genre) and have been both laughing and scratching my head that this mess could possibly pass for #1 of the dramas. In the small window of time I’ve watched, there have been more than a dozen weddings or almost-weddings (I’ve counted!). I have found all the characters to be insufferable, boring or just plain awful (with the exception of Adam whose transformation from a one-note bitter angry son to a more layered and calm character has been a delight). Not having any root-for-characters or root-for-couples is keeping me at an arm’s length distance with the show and not allowing me to connect in a way I normally do and that too has been a problem. Stories have no substance to them and are the epitome of plot driven. And if I may be so bold, even the actors seem uninspired! No one’s really on their A-game (again with the exception of Doug Davidson faced with the possibility that Paul failed and killed his own son). There has nothing thus far that has made me a fan.
I said this in Michael’s other posting about Maria’s firing, I’m all for new blood. I know first hand the destruction the trifecta JFP, Bob Guza and Frons caused on GH and am abreast of JFP’s history maligning other shows. Still, with full knowledge of what I’m getting, I am happy for this change. I want to like this show. But it’s given me no reason to. JFP won’t bring it back to its glory days and maybe even won’t make it better, but I’m willing to give someone else a shot because what they have now aint working.
Again, you people are freaks! Just wait and see what happens before you start pressing panic buttons. My God! If there ever was a need for extra “extras” I think they would have no problem…. just come find the histrionics here!
I am very disappointed. I do agree that some of the stories were boring, cut short or stayed too long at the forefront. I don’t ike the NEW Sharon. She reminds me of her previous self when she was trying to fit into Nicks world. But at least we had the core cast we have invested time in. Now hearing that Jill Farren Phelps is replacing her is just plain scary. It seems every soap she goes to ends up being canceled. DIdn’t they just replace her on GH? I hope she doesn;t mess with the core cast which I have read thay she does constantly until she finds cast she likes. Y&R is one of only a few soaps still on the air and If she starts getting rid of the cast then I guess it will be time for me to let go and stop recording and watching it every day. Oh well
This woman was an absolute WITCH to Sharon Case! I hope Sharon is celebrating right now!
The fact their has been no tweets from any cast members singing MAB’s praises tells me all I need to know but they are also frightened about JFP. But Sharon Case has been destroyed I do not know how you bring her out of this unless complete break down and bring an awesome looking guy on as her shrink. LOL!!
Also I can not stand the names the so called fans are calling her character like any of this is her fault she must have done something to somebody’s wheaties over there.
I am so glad this women is gone thank you Sony she cries that she was never given a reason. well us fans were never given a reason to why she trashed my favorite show. And my favorite character Sharon Newman . I was a loyal watcher from the beginning i no longer watch what Maria has turned into my opinion trash. So long i hope you never write again.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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