News
Michael Graziadei Gone From The Young And the Restless!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Well, we all knew this day was coming! But according to Soap Opera Digest today, Michael Graziadei finished his run as Daniel Romalotti on November 3oth when he taped his final scenes at The Young and the Restless!
The cast gathered for a good-bye party on set, with Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Joshua Morrow (Nick) and Peter Bergman (Jack) offering parting words. “Another scene with my Grazzzzz # reallycrying,” tweeted Stafford that day. Michael first joined the cast in 2004.
As many are aware, Graziadei has been eager to continue to spread his wings and add to his burgeoning resume doing more roles in primetime television and motion pictures! This departure will provide him with the opportunity to do so. We wish Michael all the best in his new endeavors!
What was your favorite moment of Graziadei’s as Daniel? Are you sad about his departure from Genoa City? Let us know!
Figures. But it’s the right move for him.
Best of luck in his future endeavours.
Graz is too good for soaps. He needs to keep climbing. The show misued him from the get go, never gave him anything good to show his talents. Good for him! U go, Graz, I will still be behind you, Eileen, Tom P’s friend and urs.
Michael hasn’t had much to do on the show lately anyway – the whole Daisy thing made me sick and I never got into Daniel and Heather as a couple….personally I think the best of his work was in his relationship with Phyllis (Michelle Stafford).
Sad, but he hadn’t had much good story lately.
Graz was one of the best young actors ever in Y&R. it’s a pity they let him go because he was so talented but for his carrier i think it was a wise mood. We sure are gonna see more of Graz.
I must have missed something. I never really thought he was that great, but good luck to him. Maybe he’ll do better with good writers/directors.
Never did like his character.
Michael is a terrific actor. If Daniel had a meaningful story or not, he was a welcome face on screen. Good luck to Michael.
As per your question- my favorite story line involving Daniel was the whole aftermath after Cassie death. I thought the character best romance was with Lily before Cane came onto the scene. As for MG, well he isn’t the first soap actor nor the last who believes they can make it in the “big leagues.” And truth was the show was not using his talents fully, so sometimes they need to walk away- but Daniel is an important character, I suspect the show will eventually recast or MG will come back one day, if prime time or movies don’t pan out.
Mary SF hit the nail on the head! The aftermath of Cassie’s death was perhaps Michael Graz’s best storyline in his entire 8 year run on Y&R.
I have really enjoyed this actor for the last several years. He was a good son to Phyl. I wish him great success.
He is a talented guy – Best of luck!
I wish Michael Graziadei the best of luck. He was great on Y&R. I only wish he had gotten a haircut in his last year. Part of the reason I liked the old opening to Y&R so much was his scene with the short hair. Oh well. It’s HIS hair. Ha! Ha!
My favorite things to do with Daniel on Y&R had to do with his relationships with Phyllis, Lily, Kevin, Amber, Lucy (especially when he gave her to Billy & Victoria and then when he realized he loved her), and I was starting to like Jennifer Landon as Heather. I also really liked the work he did during Cassie’s infatuation with him/death/being on the run with Lily in California.
*But if this is the way characters are being taken off the canvas, I guess the next time Billy Miller’s character of Billy Abbott goes to Los Angeles or leaves Genoa City then we will know that Billy Miller (as long rumored) has left the building too.
MG… made Phyllis “normal”… a real chemistry bloomed with his onscreen mother…. props to that….
last i saw him…. he was featured in a 3-4 episode turn as Jessica Lange’s boy toy…. on American Horror Story.
This is in Michael’s best decision and the character’s; this time away will give both time to be given a much needed growth. Michael is a far talented actor, and the character of Daniel is much under-used. I hope he comes back down the line, with or without Michael!
his talent was truly wasted on y&r – i have seen him on prime time shows and he was awesome – i really wish him the very best & i believe with his talent he will go far in prime time & hopefully the big screen…………
Hope he gets “cleaned up.”. Couldn’t stand the grunge look.
I think the character was important to keep Phyllis grounded but who could blame him for jumping this ship??
I for one can’t blame him for jumping ship. Not since the aftermath of Cassie’s death, his marriage to Amber, the Daisy/Lucy/Billy/Victoria storyline’s has Michael Graz had any decent work. I think he wanted out so that he could pursue work outside of the daytime medium. He’s got a very good shot at being successful in prime-time and major motion pictures. His departure was not unexpected and was rumored to be happening before MAB was fired from Y&R as well as Billy Miller’s.
Too bad but not unexpected. I’m not sure if it was due to the writing, the actor, or the character but, in the scene’s with Phyllis, Graziadei’s Daniel was the only character who seemed to bring out the “real” Phyllis.
Phyllis is a character most viewers love to hate and she does some really bad or dumb (take your pick) things. The one positive thing about Phyllis that I firmly believe is that she tries to be a good mother. (Not always doing the smartest thing but her basic intentions are always based on her love for her children). You only really saw this when Phyllis and Daniel had a heart-to-heart discussion.
When the part of Daniel is recast, it will be interesting to see if this dynamic still exists between Phyllis and her son.
Sad news, but it doesn’t come as a complete shock. Michael is an extremely talented actor who made the character of Daniel his own as soon as he set foot on the show in 2004. He had a definite style and was often times very funny and equally intense. I enjoyed his scenes with Michelle so much. They had great chemistry. Wishing The Graz the best and hope to see him on the screen again!
I hate to see him leave the show, i think Michae l is a very good actor he will truly be missed
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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