News
Michelle Stafford CONFIRMS Exit From The Young and the Restless!
Photo Credit: Duffimages.com
After the news broke yesterday from a report from E! Online that two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Michelle Stafford was leaving her role as Phyllis Summers Newman on The Young and the Restless, today the actress herself confirmed the exit with Soap Opera Digest!
Michelle related in her statement to SOD: “I would like to personally confirm to the fans that yes, I have decided to leave The Young and the Restless. It has been a glorious 16 years and one of the greatest rides of my life. The constant support and love from the fans is not lost on me. I think I’ll miss you the most.”
CBS Entertainment SR. VP Daytime, Angelica McDaniel tweeted this morning on Stafford’s decision: “@TheRealStafford has been a huge part of the #YR family. Respect her decision to move on but will miss her. Wish her the very best always.”
According to SOD, Stafford will wrap up her illustrious run on Y&R in mid-June!
So soap fans, what do you think of the confirmed exit? Will you miss Michelle? What do you think Y&R should do now? kill the character of Phyllis, write her off the canvas in case Michelle decides to return later down the line, or recast? Weigh-in!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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As The World Turns2 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
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Breaking News4 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
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Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
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General Hospital4 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
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A huge loss for the Y&R!!!!
I can’t blame her for wanting to leave. They have not used our classic vets like Sharon Case enough and they did not bring back Drucilla. They make the show that Y&R Avery and Chelsea braff hour and the Leslie story and Tyler boring and really the new Kyle is sickening!
I feel the same way. It would be great if jack is the father of Phyllis daughter. Phyllis will be missed, she is great .
I will truly miss Michelle Stafford. She is a brilliant actress and is such a big part of the show. I wish her well and hope they don’t kill her off just in case she decides to return one day.
noooo!!!! michelle stafford makes me watch the show! this is upsetting! u will truely be missed and i dont think i can follow the show anymore..its the same as when victoria left! devistating!
I’m so sad, I love Michelle and Phyllis, but it was her decision to leave, so have to support that. I think Y&R should leave it open for her if she chooses to come back.. I don’t want a recast either.
I’m so upset. The Stafford is one of the big reasons I watch the show. She is so dynamic; she can make me howl with laughter, cry on a dime, and everything in between. She’s a force of nature and I will miss what she brings to the show…. TREMENDOUSLY. I wish her luck with her next endeavor, but it just won’t be the same without her. It’s going to leave a huge void…..best wishes to her always.
I agree but the best times were when she called Christine/Cricket the bug fun times I never cared for the Nick pairing the Phyllis I knew would never fall for a wet behind the ears school boy. Will miss her.
Dont kill her off…..hopefully she will return in the future. And Yes and very big loss for Y&R. You will be missed.
I agree
Oh No I am devastated. The only reason I watch is for Billy Abbot and Phyliss Newman – she is exotic, real and funny….please don’t kill her leave it open she may come back……I hope she does.
Michelle Stafford cannot be replaced!!!!! Y&R are STUPID to let her go! She is the reason I watch. The new powers to be need to be taken down a few pegs!!! Stupid story lines – not entertaining!!!
Yes she can and was- read the article- she left the show before and was recast. They didn’t LET her go- she WANTED to go. If she was the only reason you watched well you should be happy she is leaving, so now you have no reason to watch the stupid story lines that are not entertaining. Leave the show for the fans that actually enjoy it, with or without any particular character.
This is NOT good news… She will be greatly missed…
How do you replace Phyllis??? I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role. I would rather they kill her than put someone else in her place…
i agree with you it wont be the same if someone else plays her she is one and a million and no one would be able to fill her shoes
While I do agree Michelle Stafford will be hard to replace, I really hope they don’t kill off her character, or send her off to live with Daniel. Her character is needed on the show right now. Hopefully they do recast with a truly gifted actress who can do justice to the part. There are other exceptionally talented actors out there.
they the diva get killed off here she is going to genrerl hopital guess young and restless did not put enough some people are just diva and she is one of them byb by phyllis will not miss you at allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.Or did ot get along with the writer and the new owners we are not stupid…..
I think someone needs a few English writing classes. Commas, periods, correct spelling and complete sentences please! That way the rest of us can understand what you are trying to say. Perhaps she is just tired of playing the same roll and as an actress she wants to branch out before it’s too late. No need to slam her as a Diva.
Boy, that’s the pot calling the kettle black. Role is spelled with an “e” on the end.
. She wants to do other things, its not about money and EVERYBODY at Y and R loves Michelle. If u cant say something nice, stay off of here, u dont know what u r talking about and it SHOWS!
All right, let’s all play nice, it’s only a soap OPERA where real people get to play fake people. It doesn’t matter if she chose to leave because she felt upstaged by other actors or she received a better offer elsewhere. Actors come and go, and I’m sure Y&R will leave the door open for her to return.
I wonder how big a part JFP and that hack writer played a part in all this. I hate to say be careful for what we all wished for, Maria Arena Bell isnt looking so bad anymore.
This show is tanking storywise, the acting is sub-par at best and Michelle Stafford leaving combined with the death of Jeanne Cooper is a HUGE loss. CBS and Sony need to reign in the Hollywood Heights casting and Friend of Jill casting. Just change the name to Restless Heights and be done with it.
Oh, Rob, how I agree with u!
Me too!
I have to agree with you. I’ve only watched Y&R since OLTL went off the air but the stories seem so incomplete. Things just end. Who was sending the mysterious notes and gifts to Cane? That just stopped when JFP fired Genie Francis. Cane and Lily are still around. The bullying story line just stopped when Jamie left town. Neither Fen nor Summer paid for what they did. The congressman killer story was a dud. I was expecting some desperate attempt to save himself or a shoot out or him trying to escape. No. He was just arrested and made some vain remark about the police not making the charges stick and that was it. Gus gets out of prison and is reunited with his family. There are still major tensions between them and suddenly he drops dead. That’s the end of that. The detective’s sister, Noah’s girlfriend, just left. What became of Christine who came back to become the DA and to have a relationship with Paul? Now there Lauren’s affair with the bartender. There is no excuse for her behavior. If Michael just takes her back, he’s a bigger fool than I’ve ever seen.
You are right on the money there. We just get left hanging, over and over. It is ridiculous! I love most of the actors, but the writing, is just awful.
Yes, I agree. There are no stories anymore. There are obviously some big changes behind the scenes (i.e. new writers) that are slowly ruining the show and could eventually cause it to be cancelled. My mom and I have watched the show for over 20 years and we can’t seem to follow it anymore. The show is like a revolving door – new people are coming in constantly and old ones going out – slowly being fired, forced out, etc… I understand there are ratings issues and cost constraints, but why can’t the show just do what Days of Our Lives is doing and stick to a few actors and have continuing story lines from day to day. It is a shame. The Y&R was once such a great Soap, but in the last year, it has changed completely. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, it really has become “a show about nothing!”
And let us not forget- Daisy. Where or where has Daisy gone and who signed her out of the nut house? Then there is the mysterous shadow in the alley after the knife was found. Could that be Isabelle and if so, where has she been all this time? What about the dead girl’s body found in Genave’s hotel suite? And for crying out loud, why has Adam not ask for a DNA test especially knowing what Nick did?
I agree 100%.
what?? why? Phyllis is one and a million you cant replace someone like her she is amazing it will be sad to see her go what ever young and the restless decides it will be a good choice but please dont replace her no one can take her place thank you
WOW MARION I COULDNT UNDERSTAND ONE WORD OF WHAT U WERE TRYING TO SAY….ALL THE BEST TO MICHELLE STAFFORD….SMART GIRL GETTTING OFF A SINKING SHIP…
I wish her well in all that she does. The show will go on without her, but she will be missed.
I hope that one day she will come back to the show. Please don’t replace her.
I’ll miss her and Phyllis. Maybe Y&R should recast.
I hope that they do not kill Phyllis off as one would hope that the door was left open should she ever want to return in the future.
Actors need some time off !! Maybe see what else is out there for them..
If recast is done well then the “show will go on”. I am more concerned about the writing rather than who is coming or going.. if story lines don’t improve we all will stop watching.
Re-casting person is doing an awful job as well.. Can’t they look at a monitor and say he/she is not working..
Let’s hope things turn around for the fans!!
Good luck to MS…
Disappointed to hear the confirmation. Wonder what this will mean for the Summer paternity storyline. Maybe it will play out resulting in Phyllis’s exit. I hope Miss Stafford will return one day. And her character is not killed off (as I hate resurrections). Y&R will go on as daytime dramas are successful because of comings/goings and strong ensemble. But Miss Stafford brought a lot to Genoa City. She is a treasure.
My personal feeling is that Phyllis will find out that Nick is not Summer’s biological father and that coupled with what Nick did (by withholding the inconclusive paternity test and lying about it), will rock her world. She will no longer have that connection to Nick. Nick most likely will get back with Sharon because a lot of people will be upset with him and she will be there for him.
Jack will probably be at odds because he never got to raise his own daughter and all the time he lost with Phyllis.
Summer will probably stay in Genoa City getting to know Jack and her brother, Kyle.
Phyllis will most likely go to be with Daniel and Lucy.
I don’t see them killing off Phyllis, I really don’t. I see her leaving to find herself or maybe she gets a job offer somewhere. I also do not see them recasting … at least not for now.
I def. like this part –
Jack will probably be at odds because he never got to raise his own daughter and all the time he lost with Phyllis.
for all intent and purpose… Jack the bachelor – probably wouldn’t have been the same Jack… but… he has all the emotions to have been a family man…. especially, IMO… with Phyllis. and seeing him raise his own child.
for what it’s worth… this is more meaty material that Jack can real.
gosh, How i miss ALL the Abbotts. to me… they were Y&R.
Have to add…. it would be so Phyllis – just like you said…
that this will unspool… Phyllis’ LIFE. to NOT HAVE that connection to Nick….
even tho… she should know… she really belongs with Jack.
now we may never know…. the one Woman who coulda tamed that Jack.
Patrick, I think we also kind of saw the writing on the wall this past week with Phyllis doing a 180 and moving out of Jack’s place after they moved so fast. Michelle Stafford announcing she is leaving makes sense.
Maybe Jack will be without a woman companion for a while and will spend the time getting to know Summer.
This also makes me see why they are dropping Sharon from Adam’s life and having Adam after Chelsea because IF it turns out that Summer is not a Newman, they will need another Newman heir (Adam and Chelsea’s child).
Maybe they will bring Kimberlin Brown back as Sheila to fill the void? Genoa needs a resident bad girl!
Personally, I was always hoping that Phyllis was really Sheila and that Lauren shot the real Phyllis. There were times like when Phyllis was being nice to Daisy that I thought maybe it was true- and there was the mysterious woman who got Daisy out of the hospital– If that was Phyllis aka Sheila- then they could have MS exit the show- then have KB come back with reverse plastic surgery to try to get Summer because in her mind she raised her, so she is her daughter. It would be cool- but Y&R hasn’t been that creative in a while–
For my part, THATS a bit too creative!
Recast with Robin Christopher or Gina Tognoni.
And bring back Victoria Rowell as Drucilla!
No, to VR coming back.. she has said way to much about the show..
Recast Dru….some other actor can do a fine job..
two excellent choices – strong prescence, sexy, alluring, tigresses’.
Skye and Dinah.
and they have their OWN Vamp and don’t over the top it.
Robin would be perfect!
No to Victoria Rowell, also. She burned all her bridges, let her stay stranded far, far away from soaps!
Well, from the gitgo I said be careful what u wish for if u want MAB gone She is and look st the resilts and its not over yet.
I agree 100% with Eileen….
Very sad to see michelle stafford leaving. rumor is they will recast robin christopher. Ex skye general hospital and ex lorna another world
Wonder how they’ll write her out? Might have something to do with finding out Nick is not Summer’s father? She can’t be replaced and who knows, she might change her mind down the road.
This is very upsetting news, but I do not blame Michelle Stafford one bit! She is jumping off of a sinking ship. Y&R already lost a legend with Jeanne Cooper’s passing and Michelle is one of the superstars of this show. Those losses along with the horrendous, boring storylines and the influx of newbies prove why this show losing momentum and losing viewers. CBS made a huge mistake by hiring Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith to helm the legendary soap.
I will miss Michelle and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors, I hope her other, talented costars follow her lead and exit The Sad and the Hopeless.
I wish Michelle wasn’t leaving ,but I wish her only the best.
It is her decision – perhaps she wants to try her hand at nighttime or movies.
I just hope they don’t recast her role,but I think Robin Christopher could fill those shoes if they do recast.
BYE!!
Oh, how I hate that Michelle is leaving the show. Please, Please do not recast. Send her off on a long trip and she could possibly come back. It wont be the same.
I want to know why? Her explanation was vague and very politically correct. How much did Jill Farren Phelps have to do with this decision? JFP is a hack job and very arrogant.
Michelle stafford will be missed. recast her role with liz kiefer ex blake guiding light. oh and what about robin christopher ex sky or jamie luner ex liza colby amc.
What a loss. I stopped watching Y&R a couple months ago because the new stories seemed simplistic to me and because of the treatment of Phyliss’ character. Her son, grandchild, and lover were written off; her storyline was hastily scrapped; her place of business was (practically) closed; and her husband and sister were hustled into a front burner quadrangle without her while she was re-treading water in passionless city with old pal Jack. When a new regime start a show they will naturally go for the characters they like best and be overflowing with ideas for them; the rest of the space they will fill with new characters. They may not always be able to drop popular characters or actors but the pecking order becomes clear. I saw it and I’m sure Stafford did, too. The bottom line is that the ratings are up – and that was what JFP was brought in to do – so I am obviously in the minority. I prefer a different type of show so I just turned it off. I will note that the character I miss most since I stopped watching is…Phyliss. It’s worth noting that only 3 actresses on Y&R have multiple Emmys: Stafford, the late Jeanne Cooper and Jess Walton. I remain concerned for Walton’s future with the show since the passing of her on-screen partner in crime but losing some actors with the passage of time is inevitable. It’s the ones you could have saved that haunt you.
Interesting analysis. If you (and everyone else posting here) are right then good for her! She is too quality to deal with that nonsense. Hopefully we will see her again somewhere else! 🙂
I think Phyllis should move away to be with Daniel and his daughter. That way, Michelle can always come back 🙂
Obviously Stafford was NOT getting along with that show killing witch Jill Farren Phelps. Good for her. She’ll make an excellent addition to the best soap on TV, “General Hospital.”
Darn! I wanted to see her and Kyle hook up!
Thats to funny I thought I was the only one to want Phyllis and Kyle to hook up:)
That’s where the storyline was going before the whole trip to Turkey with Jack! LOL!
lol , this show isn’t interesting anymore.Who is the next to exit?
I can’t blame her: the show is a total mess and she hasn’t been given anything to play except backseat to her EZ-Bake oven lovin’ sister and witness to Jack’s 20 minute detox “ordeal”.
Amen to that!
I am seriously grieving right now! The loss of two of the most powerful actresses in daytime TV to Young and the Restless will be – and is – immeasurable. Like her, or hate her, Stafford is an undeniable STAR of the first magnitude; she’s the female Victor Newman on the show! The protagonist that everyone loves to see go completely off the rails! ARGH! I can’t be mad at her for making a personal choice, I just am going to miss my Phyllis fix!! Please don’t insult the viewers with recast; it won’t work…. trust me.
I second everything you just said,Y&R will not be the same without Michelle Stafford(Phyllis).
Switching to Bold &the Beautiful!!!!Best wishes Michelle
Sorry to hear the news. The Stafford will be missed and I hope they do not recast the role.
Everything in life comes to an end ..
In soaps nothing actually ends….
Phyllis will be cast, she is an important character and much that goes in GC is around Phyllis , so expect a redhead recast..
the Phyllis character will not end..
Poor Peter Bergman. He will be sad on the show…recast her with … Kate Walsh she looks just like Michelle, she tall and Skinny like Michelle, she looks like Michelle twin sister. Peter mite like her.
I wish Michelle all the luck in the world hope her life is full of happen hope she goes to General Hospital.. Good luck Michelle what ever you too. Shame on Y&R for letting her go. get ride of Peter I will know longer watch your show.
Wish you the best Ms. Stafford I really enjoyed you in the 90’s and before 2005 that is when they really wrote for you.
She is terrific and will do well in whatever she chooses to do. They will recast because of the arrogance of the front office who believe they can do anything and the gullible soap fans will jyst take it.
Why is it when a vet leaves, the first person you guys blame is JFP???????
Maybe MS made the decision to leave the soap. Please quit!
why in the Hell is LLB not on the show. that maybe the only reason I stay with the show. JFP is the reason My Michelle leave.. I hope God does his Job for Michelle.
JFP your get your, what goes around comes around, when you dig a hold you will fall in it.
does anyone know when General Hospital putting Michelle under contract.
It’s hard to imagine Y&R with out Michelle Stafford(Phyllis) what and incredible actress and so much fun to watch. Hopfully one day she will return and what a happy day that will be.
Nick was just about to get exposed as not summer’s dad. She would hAve married jack oh well.
I once read something that seemed a bit winky, but Michelle leaving kind of lends credence to the theory. It said something along the lines of her hating have to act with “older“ men playing her lovers. So as long as she was bedding down with younger hunks like Nick, and Ronan, etc, she was okay with it, but that she didn‘t like being paired with Peter Bergman. Now that the Phyllis/Nick debacle is dead, and Jack and Phyllis are restored to a power couple, and it is coming out that Summer is Jack‘s, that will leave an unbreakable bond between Jack and Phyllis. I dont know if it is true about Michelle preferring younger leading men, just something I heard. All that said, I do not feel she is irreplaceable. The role was woefully miscast with Sandra Nelson, but I feel there are many dynamic actresses, not even necessarily redheads, who could ably tackle this role. Michelle has given a lot to the show, I wish her all the best in the future. However, due to some writing choices with the character, I don‘t feel she is essential to the show. It would give fans a breather and allow a spotlight to be shone onto other characters.
Don’t kill her off, just in case she decides to come back, down the road…
It’s a damn shame and a HUGE loss for Y&R. But I do think she’d be a PERFECT Carly on GH. If she was free years ago, I would have preferred her to Laura Wright. Love Laura, but Stafford would set GH on FIRE.
Wow!!! Why is she leaving?? I loved her character…so bold and so brash…going to miss her so much….Team Phyllis…
I hope they recast with Robin Christopher. She would be perfect with Peter Bergman
The last recast was just not good, so send her away, recast later unless the perfect person is available to step in. Does JFP get along with any GREAT actors or does she wantto just have the show retitled THE YOUNG (Recasts) and the Rest.
Michelle Stafford is one of the finest actresses on television, regardless of the time of day. She’s phenomenal, and if she feels it’s time to leave then all of the best to her – can’t wait to see her next venture! I think it would be a mistake to recast Phyllis, and even a bigger mistake to kill her off. With a talent of this caliber, you always leave the door open for them.