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Michelle Stafford and Lauralee Bell Discuss The Legendary Bill Bell In Emotional Moments During SINGLE MOM A GO GO!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/YouTubeSingleMomAGoGo

Courtesy/YouTubeSingleMomAGoGo

The second installment of General Hospital’s Michelle Staffords (Nina) vodcast, Single Mom A Go Go, shared some never-before-known insight into the powerhouse actress’ start on The Young and the Restless as Phyllis and more, when Michelle welcomed Lauralee Bell (Christine) as her special guest.

While the episode continued its theme talking about the struggles, and ups and downs of motherhood, and being a working mom to boot, this particular vodcast became extra illuminating when Michelle and Lauralee reminisced about their time together on Y&R.

In particular, the show contained an emotional moment.  Michelle relived her audtion experience for the role of Phyllis right in front of Lauralee’s legendary father, Bill Bell (Creator, Y&R).  Stafford revealed she had a string of auditions prior to that one where she did not get the part, and when her lucked changed the day she auditioned for then crazy Phyllis, she related to Lauralee that her father saved her life.  And in fact, when Michelle would give her acceptance speeches at awards show, she would always thank Bill Bell first and foremost.  The ladies also discuss how much Bill loved writing for Michelle’s Phyllis, and more.

Watch Michelle and Lauralee chat it up in Single Mom A Go Go after the jump.  Go to timecode 36:27 on the video, if you want to get straight to Michelle’s Y&R casting story.  Then let us know what you thought of the sentiments shared by Michelle and Lauralee on Bill Bell in the comment section below!

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Bill Bell also wrote brilliantly for Days back in the 70s-he is to blame for me skipping school to watch Days back then it was so good i hated to miss an episode-lol…unfortunately, if i was going to school today i wouldnt even skip to watch…it has some good moments here and there but no enough for me to care if i miss an episode but i wont give up on the show entirely because once its gone its gone!!!

That’s true with all the soaps these days. They just can’t figure out how to keep the writing compelling so we’re getting all sorts of lame gimmicks like the network MEGA soap among other things. I am hoping that the new EP for Y&R will turn things around with a new focus on good writing and the other soaps will follow. Though my patience is running thin, if he improves Y&R I just may start watching that and give up on the one I watch now.

I only watch Y&R on occasion-it feels as if this show like the rest of them has run its course but i too hope the new EP changes things around-the British are far better at producing and writing soaps-im addicted to Coronation Street the way i use to be with our American soaps and never miss an episode…they are far more realistic and compelling drama!!!

Where do you watch Coronation Street?

I will have to check out Coronation Street. I am completely fed up with the soap I have watched for the past twenty years.

Hey Michael Fairman,
I am really enjoying your providing Michelle’s show! These are great! And I really enjoy the talk about the “golden age” of soaps. Thank you Michael!!!!

2 things about Michelle: 1. I loved the choices she made as Phyllis. I would expect her to go left and she would go right. 2. I think she shoukd become a writer for soaps. Soaps need people that understand the genre in order to write for it. I think Michelle would be great. Always a fan of Michelle’s. She is a true talent.

I have always been impressed with Mr. Bell. Please read the biography out there. Awesome! He really was a master of this special storytelling. He mentored writers I wish were working today. Y&R was running on all cylinders back in the day >>> compelling characters, respected legacies and histories, slow burn suspense and drama, romance. Special touches like the comforts of Gina’s and the Colonnade Room, the Abbott family breakfasts, the characters that once in a while sang a song. Today it seems everyone is running around but going nowhere, and the recent contrived family bonds to link characters and revise history, and the implausible Victor Newman trial and other downer turns. Surely there are notes or ideas or hints of what to do in Mr. Bell’s archives.

Totally Agree – and Yes, the Biography is terrific. So loved seeing Michelle and Loralee “together again”, too.

Wouldnt it be wonderful to have Bill Bell writing todays soaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though I was wasn’t watching Y&R at the time, I loved when Michelle and Lauralee reminisced about their time together on Y&R and especially her first audition with Bill Bell. It was interesting to hear how they are both very different from their characters but everyone always assumes that they are just like their characters.

I agree with you Jim (Leave it to beaver) I think the Young and the Restless has really seen better days. I really hate saying that, being a long time fan since the early to mid eighties when Lauren and Tracy were fighting over Danny (the good old days) How many times can the audience put up with Victor and Nikki divorcing and re marrying, to name one example. I know it must be hard on the writers to come up with new ideas, but like you said I hope the new EP will be able to help. I am hoping that Jill will keep popping up. Maybe that will bring some of the “vets” out a bit. I guess we just have to wait and see

This was awesome! Thanks for sharing. I ended up watching the whole thing.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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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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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

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After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!

In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.

Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.

MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP

Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!

At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC

BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY

Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”

LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER

In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?

So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.

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