All My Children
Michael E. Knight Chats His Y&R Crafty Doctor Turn, Chuck Pratt Jr. & Why He Wasn't Part Of Prospect Park's Reboot Of AMC!
Courtesy/ABC
Michael E. Knight is beloved and iconic for his role as Tad Martin on the now defunct All My Children. The actor has not appeared on a daytime drama series since the series was canned by ABC, but now Knight is ready to take on daytime again. It begins with his recurring role as Dr. Spencer Neville on The Young and the Restless. Knight will first pop up on the canvas on the October 15th episode of the number one sudser.
Just how does he come on to the show? In a new interview with TV Insider, we learn that Knight will play a not-so-up-and-up neurologist who is hired by Neil Winters and has become somewhat unhinged after kidnapping his ex-wife Hilary (Mishael Morgan) as part of his payback to her and his “son”, Devon (Bryton James).
Michael also weighed-in on what brought him to Y&R, working with Chuck Pratt Jr. again, (even though many feel Pratt was responsible for the ultimate tanking of All My Children), and why he did not partake with other longtime cast members in Prospect Park’s attempt to revive the series.
Here are a few interesting excerpts from Knight’s conversation below!
Knight on his new Y&R character … Dr. Neville: “He’s very cool, kind of eccentric and a rule breaker. And hilarious, though he doesn’t mean to be. He makes no apologies for being brilliant and always thinks he has the highest IQ in the room. He’s here to keep the (Hilary) situation under wraps. And that’s all I’m allowed to tell you… he says, twirling his mustache.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Knight on Chuck Pratt Jr.’s tenure as head writer of All My Children: “I don’t think Chuck was given a fair shot at AMC. I suspect he got his marching orders from Brian Frons, who only wanted the under 35 audience. Chuck had to turn AMC, which was moving very slowly, into a show that demanded your full attention, not something you could half-watch while you were making a ham sandwich. He really had to mix it up. But he was only there for what, seven months? I think he’s a funny, progressive guy. And hey, Y&R is doing pretty well under him!”
Knight on why he did not participate in Prospect Park’s reboot of All My Children: “That was happening at a really rough time in my life, what with my divorce (from One Life to Live star Catherine Hickland), and selling our house in New York and moving to L.A. with the show. When it was cancelled and got picked up [online], I just couldn’t keep following the show as it moved back and forth across the country. I was stressed out. I needed to step back from AMC, from everything. It took me two years to relax and start breathing deeply and just let life be.”
So what do you think about Michael’s upcoming role on Y&R? Do you think it will fun to watch him not be such an upstanding guy, and have him get mixed up in Neil’s storyline? What did you think about his thought on Chuck Pratt’s time at AMC … was the head scribe indeed unfairly judged? And, are you sad that Michael was not a part of the Prospect Park reboot … or do you feel he sidestepped a bad situation for him? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
All My Children
All My Children Alum Cornelius Smith Jr. Joins the Cast of Apple TV+ Limited Series, ‘Five Days At Memorial’
Daytime fans remember him fondly as the son of Jesse (Darnell Williams) and Angie Hubbard (Debbi Morgan), Frankie, on All My Children. And now, actor Cornelius Smith Jr., is set to join a major limited series based on the acclaimed nonfiction book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Sheri Fink, about the the first five days following Hurricane Katrina made landfall entitled Five Days at Memorial.
Written by John Ridley and Carlton Cruse, Smith will play a doctor, (something he is very familiar with playing since Frankie Hubbard was a doctor in Pine Valley!) named Dr. Bryant King, an internist and one of the few doctors of color at the hospital, who finds himself very much in the middle of the crisis. He will headline the show alongside Vera Farmiga and Adepero Oduye.
Photo: JPI
The series will stream on Apple TV+, and no word yet as to when it will have its debut following its filming.
Since his time on All My Children, Smith has appeared on ABC’s Scandal, and had recurring roles on God Friended Me, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker and Manhunt.
Deadline broke the casting news.
So, looking forward to seeing Cornelius back on our screens? Do you remember his work as Dr. Frankie Hubbard on All My Children? Comment below.
All My Children
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All My Children
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ohh gee
I can not have an opinion about Michael E. Knight and his role as Dr. Spencer Neville.
((can’t have an opinion until I see him as Spencer in his role as a doctor to have an opinion..
nonetheless; I like looking at him 😉
Looking up the term “passive aggressive” in the dictionary and it reads,”See su000.”
Speaking of whom, su000, it is perfectly acceptable and reasonable to express an opinion about Michael Knight’s return to daytime. Are you happy? Excited? What do you hope they do with his character?
Dear Harry,,
I have no opinion about his coming to Y&R, I am not familiar with him.
So- I am not excited or happy, and no hopes about what is done with his doctor role..
I will have an opinion after his appearance goes into the 3rd week as to if he can excite me and make me happy .
(I like looking at him lol
My neighbour, the soap lifer, told me of Tad being a bad boy with the girls and a trouble maker, that I like, so I will ”hope” he still will be a bad boy.. ok? 🙂
As long as he is violent, evil, and a sociopath, and murders people, Su will like him.
Dylan.. geeezuz, you stating I’d like him to be- ”violent, evil, and a sociopath, and murders” …. lol c’mon. I clearly said what I’d like him to be’ quote me ;; Tad being a bad boy with the girls and a trouble maker, that I like, so I will ”hope” he still will be a bad boy.;; yup- That ^^ is what I’d like him be, for a starter.. (not a violent, evil, sociopath, murder <– but that does have merit 😉 as long as he is hotly intriguing, I'll be luvin' the handsome guy heh.. what do you want… Read more »
I look very much to Michael’s debut on Y&R and I completely can understand why he did not join the online reboot of AMC, which ultimately was handled very poorly.
Susan Lucci doesn’t seem to think so.
Well, Susan Lucci is on her last Olive Oyl leg.
Seeing his beautiful eyes and endearing smile makes me feel like I am seeing a long lost and beloved brother. I heart Michael Knight. But Mr. Pratt? Yeah, I am talking to you, buddy. Please do NOT make his character a one dimensional bad guy who is written into a corner. I beg of you. You will get a lot of viewers tunning into Y&R just to see Michael, and they do NOT want to see him twirling his mustache. This I know for sure. Leave that antic to the real Mustache. Michael’s humanity always shines through making him a… Read more »
ICAM. I want him to be a badass with a heart.
So, Margie….you want him to be Thad, the cad? I second what Harry said.
hmm dunno about him still being a ”cad”
cad
kad/Submit
a man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward a woman.
((lookin’ good ^^^ 😉
He was born 1959, 56 yrs old..
I hope they will not mellow him out and they will keep his boyish reputation as a cad strong and going!
Yeah, Su….sort of Like Morgan Corinthos; bedding both mother and daughter. Let’s not hope for a repeat. There’s enough let’s-keep-it-in-the-family-bed-hopping on Y&R.
Can we make it so he stays and some of the characters we dislike go? LOL….I would trade Michael Knight for Hilary/Devon/Sage/Joe/Abby/Summer/Kevin/Colin/Luca/Marisa-I wish they would get back to REAL storytelling. Let Days be the show with the outlandish plots (LIKE the days of James Reilly) and Y & R get back to good old-fashioned romance and plots that don’t wreck characters legacies.
I am thrilled that Michael will be back in the Biz. He has always been one of my favorite actors and has a wide range. Absolutely can’t wait! As for AMC cancellation, I believe that the suits a ABC had made up their mind long before Pratt came into the picture. He did the best he could with an ax hanging over his head. He landed on his feet and is doing a great job at Y&R.
Vicki, I agree with you about the suits at the alphabet network. They wanted out of the daytime drama business and did everything they needed to do to make that happen. I’m shocked that GH has remained on the air.
I definitely feel that Chuck Pratt is a bringing much needed fresh air to Y&R.
I can definitely relate to Michael’s feeling of needing a break after experiencing so much all at once. I’m going through a rough patch right now and I literally just needed to take break from everything for a few months just to regroup. I wish him all the best and I’m glad he seems to be getting his life back on track with his new job.
Wishing you the best too TNT.
Thank you so much! That means alot to me 🙂
[As I posted earlier on another newsfeed heralding the second-coming of Pratt/Phelps: popularity is not a sign of quality.] >:-( Just because people have their sets on doesn’t mean they are not screaming at the tv, bemoaning the fact that the decades of investment they’ve made in this show is FOR NAUGHT. Together this team GUTTED a show beloved and revered for 42+ yrs and have turned-it into something totally different: flipping-the-bird to anyone who dares question their motives or execution. This sort of self-serving arrogance didn’t serve Frons, Bloom, Goutman or Wheeler well either; what have any of THEM… Read more »
Thanks for sharing this, Mr. Fairman. I’m really looking forward to seeing MEK’s work. I’m a longtime fan. Glad he’s back in the game.
Same here. I love MEK also I just hope the writers will do him justice. It took Tad forever to get to redemption. I don’t want the new character to take the same route. I only wish he will be a stand-up guy. No Liza Colbys or Marians anywhere, please.
I adore MEK and was a huge AMC fan. I’m happy he’s landed on Y&R for however long his role lasts. It’ll be good to see him do something a little different on a different show. I agree with him that the majority of the blame for AMC’s cancellation goes with Brian Frons for a bunch of reasons. He hired the wrong people to produce the show, write the show, and in the case of certain actors, “save” the show. I blame ABC and its execs. Pratt’s writing helped push the boulder down the hill, but I don’t think he’s… Read more »
I love Michael in any role . he is a terrific actor and he is a great person , I wish him lots of good luck and I know he will be a great asset to the show . He has a great personality and I can’t wait to see him again.
When Michael first came onto AMC, he wasn’t squeaky clean. His character eventually grew up, but he always had that mischievous twinkle in his eye. I look forward to seeing him again. Prospect Park didn’t know what to do with AMC or OLTL, he was well out of it, though he was missed.
He’s playing a character who has the same name as actor Spencer Neville who played Derrick on DAYS.
I thought it was perhaps a misprint at first. What a coincidence.
Maybe Chuck Pratt is a fan of DAYS. He should just stay at Y&R because Josh Griffith is doing a fine job writing DAYS.
I think Michael Knight was an excellent actor, funny and interesting.. I am so glad to see him on another soap.. I guess I will have to start watching Y&R, thou that show need to a lot of improvement. Bores me to watch.
Enjoyed Michael on AMC for YEARS; a great actor – looking forward to seeing his return to the soap-world. At Y & R I wish him well. Glad he did not try the Prospect Park reboot – it was a fiasco! They destroyed the characters and disrespected the older characters. He has more class than the Prospect Park Reboot, glad he took time off to heal. Will tune into Y & R now!
I just glad he is back any soap he is great actor Weiss welcome Michael to yr way to go
He seems like a real cut up and I cannot wait for his arrival. Seems like it could go contract? I hope him and Ashley hookup and Stitch is left all alone with his stethoscope in his hand!. He is talented and grateful. Nancy Lee Grahn are you reading this? Grateful to have a JOB! Welcome Michael.
I will have to watch. I so wanted him to appear on Prime Time or GH. I love MEK. He has sense. I hope the writers remove the real bad character and allow the funny, sensitive and sometimes hard guy to appear. He can do it all. Please give him the opportunity. I fear real bad guys don’t always stay on soaps.
I know what you mean, Cathy. I was always so happy to see him on AMC…..he lit up my screen. This new role of his does not seem too promising as being a squeaky-clean character. There must be something shady in his background for him to agree to be hired by Neil ( on the hush-hush, I take it). It also seems that Dr. Neville can be bought…another black mark on his not-so-stellar reputation. Obviously, he will be treating Hilary until Mishael returns from maternity leave. If the good doctor/Tad is banned from practicing medicine ( just an assumption), I… Read more »
i so love michael e knight – i can not wait to see him back in a daytime drama – i know he will do well
So this means Hilary will still be lying motionless in the boathouse
into mid-October (at least)? Til Michael’s character comes onboard
to be in cahoots with Neil…ugh.
GOOD ACTOR..I ONLY HOPE THEY WRITE A GREAT STORY AND HE WILL BE ON THE CANVAS FOR A LONG TIME……THEY MADE SUCH A MISTAKE WITH MAURA WEST….
Y&R brought in; Jesse and Angie Hubbard (Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan)
there ^^ is talent..
They made Debbie a hillbilly drug addict/horrible character lol and Darnel, rarely seen physical therapist.
Also.. wasting Tristan Rogers..
Y&R, if one is not a Newman or an Abbott, or connected to them, then the those characters are short lived or in the background.
Only reason SB/Dylan made it up front is because he was made a Newman via Nikki and siblings.
AGREE 100%…THEY WASTED SOOOO MANY GOOD ACTORS!
I liked Darnell. I like Tristan. They just dont know what to do with them. One is gone and the other shouldnt be far behind. GH could really use Tristan. Robert can retake his commissioners job and light a fire under Dumbte and Detective ABS and fire Valerie!
He should have went over to b&b nhe would have made a great Stephanie Forrester recast!
Hehehehehehehe
I think it’s pretty sneaky of Pratt and Phelps to pull in another one of their “old” friends into the show. I suspect he will have a lot of scenes, we’ll see if they are good or not, and take up a bunch of air dragging this stupid storyline out some more.
I’m anxious to see how he looks after four years. I worried about his health based on his appearance the last years of AMC.
I’m glad he bypassed the stupid prospect park revival, he was smart not to bother and probably knew it would fail. Prospect park had no money.
It is understandable that Michael couldn’t keep running back and forth from the West coast to the East coast because the show was picked up in Connecticut for that “not so great” re-boot by Prospect Park. They ended the show leading us to believe that Michael would come back as Tad Martin. I really thought Prospect Park handled the whole thing in a dreadful, disrespectful way towards both fans and actors involved. Some days, I still cling to the thought that someone will bring the characters of Pine Valley back to life, but as months go by, I realize there’s… Read more »
HI MICHAEL, MICHAEL KNIGHT CAN PLAY ANY PART & MAKW IT RIGHT. HE CAN BE FUNNY & SERIOUS TOGETHER. M. KNIGHT IS A WONDERFUL ACTOR. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT GIRL HE GOES AFTER. THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE MICHAEL–LATER