News
Mike Manning Shares, “Representation is Important” as ‘The Bay’s’ Coming Out and Hate Crime Story is Featured in Two Part Special Set In Italy
The Bay will drop two very special episodes beginning on Tuesday December 26th and Wednesday December 27th on Popstar! TV (4pm ET /1pm PT ) with an encore presentation at 9pm ET and 9pm PT). They are entitled: The Bay: Veni, Vidi, Vici.
The two episodes, shot entirely in Terracina, Italy, outside of Rome, takes viewers three years into the past and tells the story of what brought the characters of Caleb McKinnon (played by Emmy winner Mike Manning) and Adam Kenway (played by Emmy winner Kristos Andrews) to Bay City. But there’s more … the series will delve into Caleb’s coming out backstory and the hate crime that ensues, two very socially relevant topic of today.
In a statement, The Bay’s creator, director and writer, Gregori Martin previewed, “We tackle a very important topic in these episodes. Two characters are faced with a hate crime simply because of who they choose to love. I’m excited for viewers to see these episodes and hopefully the telling of this emotional journey will make a difference in someone’s life where they walk away from the story having a better understanding that love is love.” Martin added, “I was extremely proud of Mike as he delivered his performance so beautifully.”

Photo: LANY Entertainment
Mike Manning (Ex-Charlie, DAYS) expressed: “It meant a lot to me to be able to dive deeper into Caleb’s past. He’s a character I’ve grown to love and I’m grateful the team and I were able to infuse this storyline with so much heart and vulnerability, while also shining a light on the sometimes negative things people in the LGBT community go through when coming out. Representation is important.”

Photo: JPI
The episodes are bilingual, spoken in both English and Italian with English subtitles. Several Italian guest stars appear within them including newcomer Marco Lo Chiatto as Luca, a secret lover from Caleb’s past, and Italian Golden Globe winning actress Nathalie Rapti Gomez as Giulia, a spy set out to uncover Adam Kenway’s secrets.
Photo: LANY Entertainment
If you can’t catch the two part special on Popstar! TV have no fear. You will have another opportunity to view it, on demand, in early 2024 via Tubi, and Amazon Video as part of The Bay’s season 8 VOD release.
So what do you think of The Bay telling us Caleb’s coming out story and portraying hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community? Will you be checking out the two part special? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out this trailer for The Bay: Veni, Vidi, Vici below.
General Hospital
Wil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud

The Friday, October 16 episode of General Hospital marked the on-screen debut of the mysterious Jude, played by primetime vet and Australian-born Wil Traval.
While not much has been revealed just yet, Traval spoke to TV Insider in his first conversation since joining the iconic ABC soap opera in a new interview out today.
As GH fans witnessed, Jude was introduced in scenes at a bar with Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and it would seem this may be her new leading man after things went south between Britt and Jason (Steve Burton). Traval said of working with the Daytime Emmy-winning Thiebaud, “I can’t speak more highly of her. I think she’s fantastic. It’s the biggest delight in my life to be working with her.”

Courtesy/ABC
FROM BROKEN BACK TO PORT CHARLES
As it turns out, Wil was supposed to be on board for a very short visit to Port Charles. However, as he revealed, things didn’t go the way he planned and his stay got extended!
“Originally, it was going to be a short guest role, I believe, and at the end of the week I got a call saying they might want to offer me a contract on the show, which was a real surprise and delight.” the actors shared. “And the rest is history from there.”
The road to General Hospital was not an easy one in some other respects. Traval was in the middle of recovering from a car accident that broke his back when he got the call to submit a self-tape for the role of the mysterious stranger back in June. Suddenly, he found himself getting a callback which in turn led to a chemistry read with Kelly Thiebaud.
WHO IS JUDE?
In the week to come, General Hospital viewers will learn Jude’s connections to the residents of Port Charles and his true identity.
With an Australian contingent on the canvas, and its tentacles throughout GH history including: Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer); Robert Scorpio (the late Tristan Rogers); and Josslyn’s father Jax (last played by Ingo Rademacher), and Jerry Jacks (last played by Sebastian Roche), one would think Jude HAS to be tied to these characters from down under, or does he?
So, what did you think of Wil Traval’s on-screen debut as Jude? Who do you think he will be revealed to be connected to? Do you think Jude will make a solid leading man for Kelly Thiebaud’s Britt Westbourne in story? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Kandi Burruss and Tabitha Brown to Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’

Beyond the Gates is continuing to bring special guest stars to the DMV and Fairmont Crest. Next week, viewers can be on the lookout for none other than singer/songwriter and reality-star, Kandi Burruss and host/actress/author and cook, Tabitha Brown to make appearances and in new roles!
Burruss is taking on the role of Kalista Kilroy, while Tabitha Brown arrives on the scene as Tia Allen. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed this week that both of their names were revealed in the CBS soap opera’s closing credits.
Best known as founding member of the multi-platinum R&B vocal group Xscape and a prominent songwriter in the music industry Kandi Burruss spent fifteen seasons on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, won season three of The Masked Singer, starred in Showtime’s The Chi, and received a Tony Award nomination as a producer for Broadway’s The Piano Lesson.
REALITY STARS IN FAIRMONT CREST
The CBS soap is already known for featuring ‘Real Housewives’ franchise stars who happened to show up at Fairmont Crest and mix it up with the Dupress and Richardson clans. Previously, The Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger made an appearance followed by Gizelle Bryant and Dr. Wendy Osefo.
Tabitha Brown is known by millions on social media as “America’s Mom.” She is the host of Food Network’s plant-based cooking competition It’s CompliPlated and is an Emmy winner for her YouTube series Tab Time.
Look for the two to first appear on the Thursday October 22 episode of Beyond the Gates where according to the series official spoilers on the episode, The family celebrates Dani’s life (Karla Mosley) and career, but a surprise guest brings old wounds to the surface, leaving Naomi (Arielle Prepetit), Chelsea (RhoniRoseMantilla), and Andre (Sean Freeman) to deal with the fallout.
You can check out the official BTG video preview for the action next week featuring Burruss and Brown in action below.
So, what do you think about Beyond the Gates continuing to bring some of the most notable reality and music stars to their storylines? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video

The mighty cast of CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates is proving once again that they may indeed have the most musically talented cast in the history of soaps, with the just released music video featuring Lami (Izaiah Hawthorne) and RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton).
The two stars perform a duet cover of Raye’s hit “Nightingale Lane” from her hit album, “This Music May Contain Hope” which is being highly-regarded to be a frontrunner in several categories at the upcoming Grammy Award nominations.
In this soulful take on the Raye track, Lami and Mantilla deliver and you can check it out now on You Tube. “Nightingale Lane” is said to be about Raye’s single greatest past heartbreak, grief, and quiet healing that comes with time.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, October 16, Lami explained, “IT’S FINALLY OUT! Let us know what you think!! We had so much fun covering RAYE’s “Nightingale Lane.” The talented musician also shared the video credits to videographer: Keith Nixon Jr. and colorist Charles Isaiah Lemons.
Several Beyond the Gates co-stars jumped into the comment thread with excitement over loving the video and the performances including: Jasmine Burke (June), Najah Jackson (Samantha), Ambyr Michelle (Eva), Jaden Lucas Miller (Tyrell), Mike Manning (Smitty), Lauren Buglioli (Vanessa) and more.
Watch below as RhonniRose and Lami perform “Nightingale Lane!”
Now, let us know what you thought of the performances and the video and if you agree that Beyond the Gates just may have the most talented cast in all of soapland via the comment section!
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