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Michael Fairman: "In Honor Of Jeanne Cooper"
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I have had a very unique vantage point from many other people who have had the opportunity to cross paths with the legendary Jeanne Cooper. At some points in my relationship with Jeanne, I was to be the journalist, always questioning her, awaiting her forthright, humorous, and take-no-prisoners answers to anything I threw at her. And then at other points, I had the honor of being her dear friend.
I always knew the days I would come to the Y&R set and sit in her dressing room with her was going to be a good day. Jeanne would always greet me with a smile and a joke, and when I would tell her, “I love you” at the end of our interviews or visits, she would say back. “And I love you, too.” I knew she meant it. I felt her love and friendship for many years … always! She always had my back. She never judged me. Both Jeanne and I had many ups and downs in our lives, and when we would get the chance to talk, we shared them with each other. But as I am trying to wrap my head around the devastating loss for Jeanne’s family, her Y&R family, her scene partners, her fans and her friends worldwide, I feel so fortunate to have learned so much about her, and how she feels about so many people whose lives were enriched by knowing her, too.
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I know that she had a very soft spot in her heart for the boys on the show. (Well, they were men, actually!) In particular: Doug Davidson, Greg Rikaart, and Christian LeBlanc … Oh, how she enjoyed each of you, and loved you. She told me that so many countless times. I knew she respected, enjoyed, and protected Katherine’s relationship with Jill, and her enduring relationship with Jess Walton. And, I knew how much Jeanne’s children and her grandchildren meant to her, as they were often the topic of conversation. And, I knew when the chips were down that I could count on Jeanne.
In 1999, I hosted on-camera The Young and the Restless 25th anniversary party for Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment’s Soap City.com. We were streaming live from the CBS soundstage 41. Against the party atmosphere and the large Y&R logo backdrop, and the 25th anniversary Olympic sized medals I placed around each of the performer’s neck in honor of the milestone, I was told earlier that day that my contract was not being renewed after four years. So that evening, I was addressing the online viewing public and the cast, while hosting this soiree’, only I had to figure a way to sign off as “Soap City Michael”. I waited till Jeanne Cooper was with me. I knew if Jeanne was holding my hand and next to me, I could get through it and just blurt it out that I am signing off. A stunned and upset Jeanne called over Peter Bergman, Michelle Stafford, and Christian LeBlanc, none of whom knew what on earth was going on! But with these people surrounding me, thanks to Jeanne, I got through it.
Photo Credit: MF SOAPS Inc
To say that she lived a fascinating life is an understatement. Everyone got to learn more about it when Jeanne released her memoir, Not Young, Still Restless last year. My final interview with Jeanne was this somewhat technically odd Skyped split-screen interview, with her while she was in New York on her press junket with Harper-Collins for her book, and me at home in Los Angeles. I have to thank Harper-Collins for letting me do this chat with Jeanne and making it happen, so I will have it with me forever. But through the magic of the Internet, and even with the look of it, and even with audio problems, I swear, it was the defining interview of my time with Jeanne. It was there that Jeanne and I shared laughs, tears, and even talked about our friendship more publicly for the first time. (You can view our final interview together below.)
The world will never be the same without our Mrs. C. … an amazing actress, a kind soul, a loyal friend, and a true legend deserving of that title many times over! I hope Jeanne has some hilarious stories to share with me, when we conduct our first interview in heaven together. Till then, I will hold you in my heart, Jeanne.
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
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That is really lovely. Thanks for sharing.
thank you for sharing this is absolutely beautiful!!
Michael, thank you for sharing your deeply moving thoughts and memories of Jeanne. They were so beautiful.
awe micheal beautifull words for a beautifull friend …
Wonderful Michael!
Thank you for that I always knew she was a very special woman she had so many loyal friends wow I believe i her heart hung on her sleve
Thank you Michael!!! You are truly a good guy and we are so lucky to have you and your phenomenal site in our lives!!!
That was a great interview… I remember it from when you originally posted it on the site but it was so touching to see it again after just losing Jeanne. What a lovely tribute! I am sorry for your loss of a dear friend. I love that you are friends with so many of our faves and that you are truly the biggest fan of the genre and of all the talented people that bring us our favorite characters and stories! Thanks again Michael! Jeanne was also very lucky to have you as her friend.
My thoughts remain with Jeanne’s family and friends. She was so talented and she sounds like such a wonderful person.
That was beautifully written Michael as you gave us a glimpse into your friendship with Jeanne. She wasn’t someone you interviewed but someone you could call friend and I know you will hold that with you forever. Jeanne will be sorely missed and Y&R will not be the same without her.
Thank you,so wonderful to see you two together.
This is probably a story that you never wanted to write, but thank you for sharing your story with us.
That is beautiful Michael, thanks for sharing that story and the last interview with us! So sorry you lost a dear friend, but it’s not forever!
Michael this is so wonderful of a story thank you for sharing I cannot even imagine the pain this caused you by writing It Thank you again for shring
Thank you so much for sharing that fantastic interview, Michael! It was such a delight to watch. I have been reeling all week from Jeanne’s death. I just can’t believe she is gone. I’ve grown up watching Mrs. Chancellor, and to me she always was the soul of Y&R. What an amazing life she led, and what a stellar example she was of how to live on this earth and how to treat others. Truly one of a kind. I know you must be grieving the loss of your friend. I wish you peace and healing. Thanks again for sharing this.
Michael, how extrodinary. The love between you and Jeanne that goes back years, is so endearing. The friendship that you had with her is to be treasured in your heart. I know this was mutual and I loved the playfulness that went back and forth. You are fortunate,Michael. But so was she. Loved your dedication in honor of Jeanne, You are great!…..
Michael, this was awesome. Such a grand friendship with a grand lady, Thank you for sharing the interview, she was truly a “Duchess”. She will be greatly missed.
Thank you so much for sharing your interview with Jeanne. I absolutely loved it. Watching the interview was very comforting for me because it is how I want to remember Ms. Cooper. As much as I am sad Jeanne is no longer with us, I am glad she is no longer suffering. I am thankful I just happened to meet her in a Las Vegas casino some 20 years ago. I hope you will keep this interview posted forever. God bless you Michael and sorry for your loss too.
As if I haven’t cried enough;) God Bless you & your colleagues for being willing to share @ this time when you are mourning.. Mrs C, Jeanne is one that I hope greets me w my grandparents @ Heaven’s gateway!!b
Thank you for airing this; it was fabulous !
Thank you so much for this.. I have been born and raised in 1973 and watched Y&R to this day.. She will be missed so bad but never forgotten.. Thank you again for sharing the good times
I have seen other interviews with Jeanne Cooper but this one is extraordinary. There is love in this interview between you, Michael, and Jeanne. Your pace of questions, your patience in waiting for Jeanne’s responses and Jeanne’s candor and conscientiousness as she lovingly responds. It so apparently reveals the love you have for each another as well your commitments to both your profession and audience. Feeling blessed to witness and receive such an exquisite example of love and dedication <3