The world continues to mourn the loss of the one and only, Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who died this past Thursday at age 76.   For some time, Aretha had been batting advanced pancreatic cancer.  The voice that meant so much to so many, and inspired so many female vocalists of today can never be replaced, and her songs and performances will live on in our hearts forever.

Over the last few days, television news programs have brought to us some heartbreaking, emotional, and uplifting moments from her dear friends: the incomparable Stevie Wonder, who shed tears while speaking of Aretha on the CBS Morning News, and with whom he went to see shortly before she died,  as well as Franklin’s longtime friend, Smoky Robinson, who spoke about his relationship with host Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.

Photo: Atlantic Records

This weekend, several tributes are on tap paying tribute to the mighty Franklin including those on TV One, and on OWN, with Oprah Winfrey’s Remembering Aretha Franklin: The Oprah Interview  tonight at 8PMEST.

But daytime fans were clued in to the fact that Aretha had a passion for the soaps.  She loved The Young and the Restless, and the character of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden).  In fact, Aretha was thrilled to be asked to help introduce the Y&R Daytime Drama Series nomination clip package at the Daytime Emmys in 1997.  She expressed why she was superfan of the show: “I watch it in the morning. I watch it when I’m at home. I watch it when I’m in concert. I watch it when I’m asleep …  I watch it!”   And one of the main reasons she loved Y&R, was Victor Newman: “Victor is one of my favorite characters in The Young and the Restless.  I love the way he makes his approach to a woman.  He’s the all-time player.”  The ‘Queen of Soul’ even did her own impersonation of him.

Courtesy/CBS

At the 2005 Daytime Emmys, Aretha presented the Outstanding Drama Series Award alongside Eric Braeden.  It was a thrill for her, and also notable for Braeden as he tweeted about his mishap where he accidentenly said, “God Bless, Eric Braeden,” when he meant to say, “God Bless, Bill Bell”.

Upon learning the news of Franklin’s passing, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Eva Basler (VP Communications for Bell-Phillip Productions and The Bold and the Beautiful) recalled on Twitter: “It was my first year at The Bold and the Beautiful & we were at rehearsals in NYC.  Aretha Franklin was on stage & looked down to the floor & screamed, “RIDGE! THORNE!” excited to see them in the front row. Later, I had the honor of escorting Susan Flannery & her thru the gifting suite.”

Courtesy/CBSBoldInsider

The official show Twitter feed posted: “The cast & crew of The Bold and the Beautiful are sending prayers & good thoughts up to Aretha Franklin & her family. Some of our cast met The Queen of Soul, who is a huge fan of B&B, at Radio City Music in NYC Pictured here with Susan Flannery. We LOVE you Aretha!”

Throughout the last few days so many soap stars have posted their sadness on the loss of Franklin, and what she meant to their lives and to all of ours.

Now below, watch the two moments of Aretha’s from the Daytime Emmys were she talks her love of Y&R, and presents with Eric Braeden.  Followed by the emotional interview with Stevie Wonder on the CBS This Morning and then Smokey Robinson’s remembrances. 

Then let us know your thoughts on the passing of Aretha, your favorite song of hers, and how wonderful it was to know that this American treasure was actually a soap opera fan, just like so many of you via the comment section below.

Another familiar character to longtime Dynasty fans has been cast for its upcoming second season; that of the very troubled, Kirby Anders.

In the CW reboot, newcomer Maddison Brown has nabbed the role, originally played in the ABC version by Kathleen Beller.

According to EW.com, the character description reads: “Kirby grew up in the staff’s living quarters with her father, estate manager Joseph Anders, and sides more with the downstairs occupants than the upstairs.  She has a fraught history with the Carringtons, specifically a tempestuous relationship with Fallon that was the reason for Kirby’s exile from the Manor years ago.  And while she returns to Atlanta to make amends with her father, she will certainly continue wreaking havoc on the Carringtons.”

Brown is listed as a series regular for the new season.

Dynasty returns with all-new episodes on Friday, October 12th at 8PMEST.

So, what do you think of Kirby being back on the canvas against the Carringtons? Comment below

Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman returns tomorrow night on Thursday, August 16th with its season premiere broadcast beginning at 10PMEST/7PMPST.

Join Michael and his in-studio special guest co-host General Hospital’s Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) for this 90-minute live podcast series kick-off.  Soap Nation Live! will stream live once a month with all-new episodes.

Special guests include: The Young and the Restless’ Jason Thompson, who is on tap to chat about the latest drama in the life of his soap alter-ego, Billy Abbott, General Hospital’s Michael Easton, who will be previewing the 20th anniversary edition of his book, 18 Straight Whiskeys, and dishing on Finn’s love life and predicaments on the ABC daytime drama series, and Days of our Lives Stacy Haiduk, who is about to make her Salem debut shrouded under much mystery.  Plus, you never know what surprises may be in store during the broadcast!

Make sure to listen in for our trivia game show segment, where one lucky caller has the chance to win two VIP Tickets plus a photo op at one of nine GH Fantasy events featuring cast members from General Hospital brought to you by Coastal Entertainment.  The winner can choose from upcoming shows in: Arlington, VA, Chicago IL, Cleveland, OH, Atlanta GA, Raleigh NC, Stamford CT, Boston MA, Fort Worth TX, or San Antonio TX,

To call-in and pose a question, or a comment, to any of our guests throughout the broadcast, dial the exclusive listener-line at 818-295-2130.

Soap Nation Live! will be streamed live for listeners at Michael Fairman TV (www.michaelfairmantv.com). Look for the live link and post 10 minutes before showtime to go directly to the broadcast.  If you have any trouble listening to the show here, you can head on over to Spreaker to our official show page (www.spreaker.com/soapnationlive).

Immediately following the broadcast, Soap Nation Live! will be archived and made available for replay and for download.  To see live portions of the broadcast, that can be viewed via Facebook Live on the official Michael Fairman TV Facebook Page

If you have a question for any of our guests that you would like potentially answered on-air, please post those in the comment section below.  We hope you enjoy our extra special premiere!