News
Michael Mealor Confirms His Exit From Y&R and Shares, “Thank You For Allowing Me To Be Your Kyle Abbott”
After various rumor reports, Michael Mealor (Kyle Abbott) has confirmed his departure from CBS’ The Young and the Restless. The actor who played the son of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) for more than three and a half years took to Instagram to send out a heartfelt farewell and thank you message to his colleagues and his fans.
A few days back, Mealor’s on-screen Uncle, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) had commented on a a fan response when the fans said they would miss scenes between Billy and Kyle on Twitter, which indicated the rumors of Michael’s exit may be true. But it was not till Monday, that it was for certain with Mealor’s post. No word yet on Michael’s final airdate.
Previously, Soap Opera Digest indicated contract talks may have broken down for Mealor and Hunter King (Summer) with the series in their latest issue on newsstands now.
Today, Michael expressed: “In true Chanccomm fashion, Uncle Billy broke the news first…..my time as we know it on The Young and the Restless is coming to a close. The last three and a half years has been a truly humbling and life changing experience. I wouldn’t have been here this long without the love and support y’all have shown me throughout every inch of this ride! From appearing on national TV in my ‘birthday suit’ to digging up graves for DNA fragments, every engagement and every heart break, whether you were #KOLA or #SKYLE, y’all were along for the rollercoaster. Thank you, The Young and the Restless, CBS and Sony for trusting me with this incredible character. Thank you for allowing me to be your Kyle Abbott. So much love to each and every one of you!”
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Sony & CBS appear to have blown this one.
They have blown a lot, but the biggest is letting Gina T go from the show. There has not been any fire in acting since Gina T on Y& R. They need her back. I am not a fan of Michelle S, she’s boring as hell. Hunter and Micheal had great chemistry they will be missed.
WAKE UP SONY, AND CBS, and get these all 3 back, get rid of Josh G. he’s awful & crappy.
Denis agree with you totally.
I miss Gina terribly!!! I never disliked Michelle before she left for GH, but I cannot stand her with her return rendition of Phyllis. No storyline and terrible acting. There needs to be a mystery woman to come to Genoa City. And yes, please drop Josh immediately. I was on vacation for 10 days and deleted all of the Y and R episodes on my dvr.
Amen re: Gina T, Denis. I gave up on the show when they pulled that awful move. TBH though, I wouldn’t wish this terrible writing on a gem like Gina T. I’m relieved she was spared this fate.
Never liked him as Kyle, What’s Chandler Massey up to, that would be a great recast.
Massey is a good suggestion. Drew Garrett or (bite my tongue) Bryan Craig might also work.
Steve
Chandler would be a good sub.but a hard no to Byyan Craig. Didn’t mind him on GH, but I think he’s not right to be an Abbott. He looks nothing like Jack, at least M.M was believable.
Too bad. Best Kyle ever. A loss for restless and if hunter king is leaving too it is even worse
Major bummer!
I cant believe the ptb screwed his renogiations up. How do you let the shows most popular younger star go?!
Kyles my favorite and I dont see myself caring enough about the other stories to continue watching regularly.
Michael was soo mature for his years and really carried in my eyes alot of major storylines in the years he was here, alot of them as a leading man. I was always team #kola and felt when Griffith pretended to take the reigns from Mal Youngs awesome Lola/ Kyle/ Summer triangle and threw Theo in the mix it screwed it all up. This Tara / Sally shenigan is really trying.
Hoping this incompetence of letting Mealor get away will piss off enough young and older fans alike and make Griffith and Morina dissapear. …and maybe like Mishael Morgan a new regime will undo this wrong.
I agree, Damien. They finally got a perfect Kyle and now this! Though I didn’t like his Summer pairing, he’s a wonderful actor with talent and charisma (and great hair) to spare. I just hope he doesn’t ride off with that dreadful Tara. That would be insulting to us fans.
this makes zero sense after giving him a front-burner storyline with lots of legs and hiring new cast members to add to the mix
Kyle was ok-
But- the Summer-Kyle- junk got old.
As for Kyles’s other couple of stories eeehhh nothing special.
Sorry for the actor’s situation but the character/Kyle I won’t miss him.
I have no doubts Michael will go onward into new beginnings.
The only watchable; Ashland, Victor, Billy and Adam, the others eeehhh ..
((ahaa no women in there because they are eeehhhh))
Wishing Michael a prosperous journey!
Show going down
Totally agree…Only watchable Male characters are Ashland,Victor,Adam,Nick…Michael as Kyle always came across as weak and meek at best….
Happy to see Summer and Kyle gone! Now get some decent people around Devon.
Not a problem, Y&R’s loss is GH’s gain! Hire him as the new Dylan Q!
Thanks, Timmm. That idea at least gives us hope. And I love the others’ suggestion of excellent Chandler Massey as a replacement for Kyle.
An overhaul is needed in the writing depth for Y&R. Veterans playing background and characters we could care less about: Sally, Tara and I am sorry to say it, Amanda’s extended family. Are they to join the ranks of the Newmans & Abbotts? If so, mix them in with the other residents of Genoa City. Also, PLEASE give Jack a brain!!!!
THANK YOU, Lew! What the he** is going on with Jack? He’s on “brainless dummy” mode, as is Phyllis. In what universe would Phyllis not figure out the Tara blackmail tangle? And Amanda’s family? They seem to have wandered over from an amateur revival of A RAISIN IN THE SUN. This show is in trouble. Where are good stories for Lauren, Michael, Kevin, Gloria, Traci, Ashley, Nikki, Paul, Jill, even clueless Esther. Moses and Faith? There’s more excitement in the phone book.
Soaphound I
Glad I bumped into you here. You can see how much I agree with you in my comment to Lew.Gee, has Jack always been this bad with women? I remember his days with Jill and thought that was bad. I think Phyllis will come through with those two coniving women, just hope it’s not too late. I’ve read other gossip that Tara and Ash may be in cahoots somehow, as a con or whatever but Iam hoping it will get more interesting. Will they replace Kyle or what? All I have is questions, sorry.
Yes, Violet, I do think Ashland is either faking or will get mysteriously better just in time to take control back of NewmanLocke and hand Victoria her walking papers. Not sure if Tara is in on it but either way she needs exposing QUICK, hopefully courtesy of Billy and Phyllis.
Soaphound
I need your opinion on the dissappearance of Mariah. I thought from the beginning it was Stitch, but now, not so much. If he had her, wouldn’t he just stay away from her family and friends, acting all concerned? Now I have a horrible feeling it’s Chance. Am I way out in left field?
Oh Violet, I think Stitch is SO obvious it probably is him. Motive could be compensation for a child (Max) he might blame Abby for losing to madness? It’s wild but it makes “soap sense”. I did read that Chance had been recast and will return but I can’t think why he’d do it. Wait until Victoria hears about; she’ll undoubtedly blame.. you guessed it, Adam. I’m just not too enthused about this either. Right now, I just want Miss Tara exposed PRONTO and for Phyllis to then give Jack the Cher slap — “Snap out of it!”
Oh Violet, even though it’s way too obvious, I think Stitch may be guilty. Can’t think of any other reason for him to be back. Perhaps he blames Abby for his son’s madness and wants a replacement kid? Crazy, but it makes ‘soap sense’. I read this article that said Chance had been recast and will return but I can’t think why he’d do it. I’m not really into this story anyway. I’m more anxious for Phyllis to expose Miss Tara and then give Jack the Cher slap — “Snap out of it!”
Soaphound
It seems so obvious and that’s why I thought/hoped it might be someone else. I like Ben and hate it if he turns physco. Tara needs to be found out and dealt with. She even used Sally to make that video.Although Billy and Phyllis are on her trail Iam afraid it might backfire on them. As good as Phyllis is Iam also afraid they have underestimated Tara and her agenda and capabilities.
Lew S.
He’s got a brain, it just isn’t where it’s supposed to be. He’s always been stupid and gullible where women are concerned but letting these two witches bookend him has got to be the worst.
Meant to write the writing dept.
Both of them have a bright future and good luck to them both
I was not particularly fond of Michael’s Kyle. There was a lack of sincerity in the acting that was a distraction to his storylines. On the other hand, I love Summer’s character and will really miss her.
As a side note, I also miss Phyllis/Gina! Michelle is a great actress, but I preferred her on GH and Gina as Phyllis.
He was the best Kyle. I’m going to miss him and Hunter.
PLEASE bring Hunter and Michael back. These were two of our favorite characters on Y&R!!!!!!!!!!
Wish that he were not leaving. I was just beginning to visualize a fun conspiracy storyline with Ashland/Tara/Jabot and Newman, but it needed Kyle. It is difficult when a new face steps into an established role; especially in the middle of a storyline. His acting has so improved over time. The chemistry with Summer worked for me.
I will miss Michael/Kyle. It’s kind of crappy taking one of the main characters out of a pivitol storyline. I wonder if he sings? He’s got a little Buble going.
What a great idea, Violet! He’s got the sexy confidence of Buble. Rami Malek won every award for BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. Renee Zellweger won an Oscar as Judy Garland. There’s always an audience for these musical biopics. One of my old favorites is LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME with Doris Day playing singer Ruth Etting. We need more music in movies, like the terrific WILD ROSE.
Soaphound
While I love all your comments and ideas, what I meant was that M.M.looks remind me of M.Buble. I would sure love some real music on Y&R rather than that incessant stuff they play in the background, drowning out all the dialogue.Give me the old organ music from the old days.
Violet…A little off topic but bringing back the old organ music from past days also applies to baseball. Major League Baseballs ptb are systematically ruining the game with their changes from the sport’s traditions.
I liked Mealor’s Kyle at first but the writing has been so abysmal & the storylines so boring & repetitive that he didn’t have much to work with and Kyle never grew past the one note he started with. The bad writing on this show knows no bounds. What is Y&R’s endgame here?
Does anyone know when he’s leaving? Will we get a replacement or? I can’t take much more of Tara and wish I could slap her lying face. Sally at least is obvious in all her maneuvers but Tara is so devious while trying to be loving, caring and pathetic.
I thought we were going to see Mariah today. Can’t wait to see if it’s Stitch or someone else holding her. How could they expect to take this baby without getting rid of Mariah and how will they account for having a new baby? Hard to believe he or some other person would want to hurt Abby so much. They must really be sick!
Poor Rey who is once more forgotten while Sharon moons over Adam. She’s supposed to be a therapist but can’t even deal with her own, so obvious obcession with Adam. I see a strong parallel with these two as with Carter and Quinn on B&B.
Violet, I need you to talk me down. I saw something yesterday that I found disturbing, so I replayed it to see if my eyes were playing tricks. But no tricks. I swear I saw something going on between Adam and…. Chloe! There was a bit of playfulness in his teasing her about her office keys. Just some spark. I know, I know I’m probably wrong but what if? Can you imagine after Sharon couldn’t wait to accuse Adam of stalking her and always “changing the subject” back to their unbreakable bond, if Adam moved on to someone else? She’d be back in his bedroom faster than you could say, “Adios Rey!”
Soaphound
I usually catch things like that or think I do but this time I only laughed because it seemed he was just teasing and annoying the heck out of her, knowing how much she hates and distrusts him. As far as Sharon goes, she has said Adios to Rey long ago although neither of them can or want to admit it. I think Sharon likes the idea that she has someone out there that wants and desires her and all she has to do is whistle and he’ll come running. One day they will bring someone in to catch his fancy and she will have to get off that hot tin roof she’s been on.
I am encouraged with what Phyllis has been doing trying to catch Tara and Sally. I don’t usually go along with her scheaming and plotting but his time Iam cheering her on. Jack and his son are blind idiots! Can not wait for those two women to be run out of G.C. I read that Eric Forrester is coming back which will hopefully lend more insight to Summer’s going to Italy. Let’s catch up on Mariah next time.
Violet, I don’t know what’s up with this Mariah tale. For me, unless she’s being held captive by Harry and Meghan, I’ve already lost interest. The only good bit was Tessa practically calling Sharon a lousy mother by not being more concerned. How about Rey’s classic Genoa City detective response: “There’s lots of reasons a pregnant woman would just disappear into thin air with only a trail of odd, evasive texts in her wake. I’m not concerned.” Alright, I’m paraphrasing but you get my drift. Sharon’s coffee shop should be rechristened “CLUELESS CENTRAL.”
Looks like everything is catching up with Tara and Lucy. I guess that’s when Kyle/ M.M will make his exit, probably flying off to Italy to reclaim Summer. Then we will hopefully be enlightened to wether Ashland has another agenda as far as Victoria is concerned. If he is just after her company, that will leave her weak and vulnerable to Adam’s maneuvers, even though daddy has told him they will not do anything to hurt Vicki.
Well, I imagine we are seeing the last of Michael Mealer, once Kyle sees Summer in Italy. Knowing he wouldn’t be leaving Harrison for very long, Iam thinking when he returns to Genoa City, we will most likely have a new Kyle.
Hey Violet, how great was Tara’s takedown on Friday? Vintage Phyllis, and with Lauren in tow for good measure. And Tara is STILL blaming everyone else! My next question is… who’s gonna deal with Sally? Can’t wait! I’m curious about Rey’s apparent midlife work crisis…suddenly seeing new opportunities. Wonder if they’ll lead him, or Sharon, in Adam’s direction. I liked seeing Adam and Nick breaking bread (or tea?) on Friday also. If we could just eliminate the Moses and Faith story, things might start to look up. Oh, and send Amanda’s family packing, too.
Soaphound,
Loved Friday’s show.I got greedy though. I kept hoping for Sally to show up at the Abbott’s. Kill two birds with one stone, you know. I don’t know what to make of Rey. While I like him, they have made him so boring. I think he and Chelsea may hook up one of these days. He speaks of her in such glowing terms. And Amanda and her clan, Adios,who cares?? Speaking of getting rid of the ones you mentioned, I have long had a way to solve that problem I record all my Soaps and than I can just fast forward through the boring scenes.
I would also like to know why Queen Abby and the sit-on-his hands Devon aren’t doing something, anything to find HIS baby? Do they really believe Mariah is that flakey? Do you remember a while back when Esther told Nina about the soundproof suite in the mansion where she could go to work in peace and quiet?The perfect place to hide someone, and the furnishings look like in an old house. Nina has been acting kind of funny, and not overly concerned about Mariah being missing. What do you think?
One final thing. I didnt think even the Abbott Jet could get to Italy as fast as that one did, ha!
Soaphound,
Don’t know if you’ll even see this post seeing as there really isn’t anywhere to discuss the show in general. Anyway, just wanted to say Iam having bad feelings about Adam and Sally getting together, two of a kind. Also I think the rumours of Ashland being a bad guy might be true. With Victoria wanting a lavish wedding, you know there has to be a reason and what better way for Ashland to announce to the guests and the world that he somehow got a hold of Newman by marrying Victoria. I hope Iam wrong.
News
Nathan Fillion Recalls Best Advice for a Soap Opera Tag on ‘What What Happens Live’ with Andy Cohen
Nathan Fillion, who stars on ABC’s The Rookie, which was officially renewed for its ninth season, and who began his television career on One Life to Live as Joey Buchanan from 1994-1997 was the guest along with actress Geena Davis on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live on Bravo.
During their conversation, Cohen who is a big fan of soap operas himself, especially All My Children asked Fillion about the incredible pace of acting on a soap. Fillion reflected, “It is extreme acting at a pace that you cannot fathom, and I’m told even since then it’s gotten faster and faster.” The Llanview alum added, “There are very soap operas left. I was in it just as they were starting to decline.”
However, in the buzzworthy moment that has made it to social media, Fillion shared, “I learned one very important thing. We were talking about that slow closeup at the end of a scene,” also referred to as the tag. So, “I complained about how long that closeup was like, “What am I supposed to do?”

Photo: ABC
THREE FACES OF A SOAP OPERA TAG
Fillion recalled, “A lovely man named Michael Knight (ex-Tad Martin) from All My Children (now Martin Grey on GH), I complained about (it to and) how long that closeup was, like, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ He said, ‘You need to make three faces.” Now Fillion made the faces associated with these thoughts in front of Cohen and Geena Davis, while looking straight to the camera. “They are: ‘Did I leave the stove on?’ ‘I did leave the stove on!’ ‘No, I turned the stove off.’ Works for every scene!”

Photo: ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE LEADING LADIES
Later, Cohen asked about the leading ladies he got the opportunity to work with on One Life to Live, and mentioned, then Nathan’s on-screen mother, Erika Slezak (Viki), and then Nathan’s on-screen lover Robin Strasser (Dorian).
Nathan explained, “I was in between Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser – the matriarch of the show, the villain of the show, I was torn between them. It was the perfect position to be in. I had a fantastic time.”
You can catch the moments where Nathan and Andy talk about Fillion’s time as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live below beginning at the 3:08 mark.
So, what did you think of advice Michael Knight gave to Nathan to help him cue into the looks of a soap opera tag at the end of a scene? Did you love the story which saw Joey torn between the love for his mother, and the passionate affair with an older woman, Viki’s nemesis, Dorian Lord? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Knew He Hit the ‘Jackpot’ With New Role as Joe Fitzpatrick
First-look photos of Jonathan Bennett’s new General Hospital role of PCPD officer Joe Fitzpatrick have been released, given GH fans a glimpse of what’s to come when the character makes his debut on Monday’s upcoming May 18 episode.
Bennett is coming home to ABC soap operas, after beginning his career as All My Children’s JR Chandler some 25 years ago. The actor/host/producer shared that returning to the rigors of a daytime drama was not on his “bingo” card. However, the minute he heard about the role, there was no question in his mind, he was going to go in, read for it, and make it his!
In preview of his upcoming debut, Jonathan spoke with TV Insider, where he detailed his feelings on playing Joe, “I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play. I’ve never read something where I was like, ‘I have to do it,’ and when I read this, I called my agent and said, ‘I’m playing this character.’”
KNEW THIS ROLE WAS FOR ME
Confident that he would nab the role, he clearly was the choice of GH executive producer Frank Valentini too, with whom, Bennett shared is one of the reasons he couldn’t wait to step into the world of Port Charles, “I was very excited to work with the best of the best, like Frank Valentini. He’s a legend.”
The Hallmark Channel and Food Network staple also shared that once his casting was announced, the reaction he received, doubled-down his decision that being on General Hospital and playing Joe Fitzpatrick was the right move at this time in his career and his life.
“The outpouring of love from just the announcement made me really emotional. I was driving home, talking to my husband, and I started having tears roll down my face. It just feels so good to go somewhere where you’re so loved and you feel so supported before you even start. It felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders. I just was like, ‘Oh, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.’”

Courtesy/ABC
PREVIEW CLIP
In an exclusive clip released to PEOPLE.com on Friday, May 15, GH fans can get their first real glimpse of Bennett in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick. In the scene at the PCPD, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) asks, “Hey, dispatcher. What’s the story with this arrest?” To which Joe responds, “A call came in from the maître d’ at the Metro Court and he said there was some sort of argument, scuffle happening in the gardens and was concerned things were going to escalate and patrons would get injured. When we got there, it was obvious, things had escalated.”
That exchange leaves General Hospital fans wondering who was in the scuffle? Stay tuned.
So, will Dante put Joe on the case to help keep his son Rocco remain in the clear from shooting Cullum? Will Joe be a good guy, or could he be implanted at the PCPD by Sidwell or Cullum? What about the role that Jonathan Bennett read initially, do you think made it something that he really wanted to play? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
News
B&B Alum Lisa Yamada in Production on New Film, ‘My Boyfriend Is A Demon’
On recent episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Dylan (Sydney Bullock) gave herself and the audience quite a scare when it seemed like Luna had popped out from behind the clothing rack and revealed herself to be alive. Only it was a fakeout to B&B viewers, when it turned out not to be Luna, but Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) donning a long black wig.
However, there is news about the actress who played the real Luna, Lisa Yamada. The Daytime Emmy winner is busy shooting another film role and this time the movie is already in production,
Yamada is part of the ensemble cast of My Boyfriend Is A Demon that also features notable and newcomers including: Mattias Ferrell (A Very Jonas Christmas Movie), Bailey Sloan (Ragamuffin), Jack Champion (Avatar), Ever Anderson (Peter Pan & Wendy), Vinnie Hacker (Euphoria), Josephine Reitman, David Arquette (Scream), Rosanna Arquette (The Moment), Coco Arquette (Cougar Town), Savannah Lee Smith (Tinsel Town), and Ty Law (Friday Night Lights).

Photo: LYamadaIG
My Boyfriend Is A Demon is written and directed by mishka. In the story, Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who, in an effort to gain the acceptance and friendship of her peers, creates a ‘finsta’ account for a nonexistent, seemingly perfect guy, appearing to be her boyfriend. After apparently manifesting a little too hard, her new beau suddenly shows up at her door. The film is executive produced by Verdi Productions. Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
In a statement, Verdi Productions’ President, Chad A. Verdi, shared with Deadline, “This cast is a perfect balance of veterans from major studio franchises such as Scream and Avatar alongside exciting emerging talent poised to become the next generation of movie stars. mishka’s script connects with young audiences in a way that feels fresh, authentic, and culturally relevant. From the cast to the department heads, there’s been a real sense of fearlessness and creative energy throughout production — the kind of collaboration you always hope to find on a film like this.”
If and when Luna ever returns to The Bold and the Beautiful alive and well remains to be seen. But. as discussed in Michael Fairman TV’s recent interview with Yamada on the red carpet at the BBTV app launch party, Lisa will soon be seen in this summer’s highly-anticipated Prime Video Legally Blonde prequel Elle. Lisa touted My Boyfriend Is a Demon on her Instagram Story.
So, intrigued to see Lisa in My Boyfriend Is A Demon when it’s released? Do you think at some point soon, Luna will for sure pop up and be alive and well and planning revenge on the Spencers and Dylan? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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