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OLTL delivers the goods with Best Christmas Episode of the holiday season!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

On this Christmas Eve, On-Air On-Soaps salutes One Life to Live with a toast of eggnog for it’s brilliant Christmas episode that aired this past Wednesday on ABC Daytime. There were so many great one-liners, and so many great moments it is hard to know where to begin, but leave it to daytime legends, Erika Slezak (Viki), Robin Strasser (Dorian) and Kim Zimmer (Echo) to make this one holiday episode of the soaps we won’t soon forget.

From watching Viki and Dorian trying to rid Echo from completely ruining Viki’s Christmas, Todd’s son Jack, and the very cute new little Sam (even though his line delivery is not so good, we can forgive him!) fighting over the belief of Santa Claus, John giving Natalie his mother’s ring for their engagement and announcing the news to the family, Kelly and her pink goggles given to her by Joey, Starr and James poignant moment near the end of the episode, and the Angel Square Christmas tree lighting (And let us say, beautiful Christmas tree! Props to the set designers for that one), the show had it going on.  And the piece de resistance, Echo coming down the chimney at La Boulaie dressed as Santa!

But oh those fantastic one-liners,  some of the best.  Here are just a few:  Viki to Dorian about getting rid of Echo, “Please help me, I would say nice things about you in public.”  Dorian to Echo (once she gets trapped in Dorian’s plot to help Viki detain Echo, about her faux Santa Claus outfit PR campaign), “Yes it will be great.  The Mayor who delivers the goods with good cheer.”  And our personal favorite, after Echo is stuck on the rooftop dressed in Santa suit to keep her warm while screaming for help, inside La Boulaie Kelly says to Dorian, “Did you hear something”? And Dorian responds, “The wind?”  Kelly then has the zinger, “It sounds like an echo!”  Also, kudos to OLTL for their juxtaposing of Jack and Sam’s reactions to seeing Santa “Echo” Claus.

Watch the episode below and Ho-ho-ho…Happy Holidays!

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I only watch Florencia Lozano and Trevor St. John (and Kelley MIssal), so this was a no watch for me.

Wow, then you really missed out on a great episode !

This was very good but B&B with Thursday and Friday’s episodes were a tie or better. OLTL was very funny but B&B was very heartfelt and very much the true Christmas spirit!

I agree, Michael! OLTL had the best Christmas show this week. Although, I watched Y&R today and really loved it. Well-written and very much in the season. I am loving that show more and more. It’s so much better than the ABC soaps on most days.

I agree. It was so great seeing Viki and Dorian working together to get Echo out of the house. I hope Echo sticks around. Seeing Viki just about every day is joy. The show is on fire right now. Almost everything seems to be working well. Kelly is entertaining….I love that Blair loves Kelly’s line “I got Lemon in my eye”. LOL. I think I am going to use that one too.

I have to agree Michael… it was the HAMMER! I loved GH and YnR, but OLTL was so much fun, yep! It delivered big-time. The BnB Xmas Epis were disappointing, where was Eric and the Family around the piano singing Christmas Carols? Where was the Cast Christmas Greeting? While I did love Anthony’s singing, it would have made more sense for Brad to have done these episodes on New Year’s, giving hope to the homeless with the message that Hollywood Cares. But.. as usual, his timing was off and the Xmas feeling was far from on the mark!

Thanks for all your great work and I am looking forward to enjoying you and your words in 2011! Merry Christmas, Mike!

I loved the entire episode! Jack was a riot! He sure takes after his father. Love that Viki and Dorian teamed up to make Echo disappear. My absolute most favorite part of the show was John on his knee again giving Natalie the ring, and what a gorgeous ring that was. John is really opening up and he’s one surprise after another. Thanks Michael for a great write-up!

I hope the New Year brings all good things for the people who love soaps! And please Brad Bell make a story for the TRUE FORRESTER HEIR THORNE!

What a well written episode.It loks like there are more intriging schemes about to happen. Clint is up to a new scheme, obviously with Amber, Joe’s girlfriend. I don’t think the new Joe is so great, though. I always love Dorian and Viki and especially now to get rid of Echo. The chimney scene was hysterical. The turkey upside down by Echo was a hoot and funnier went it fell on the floor.I’m glad that Starr went to visit Cole with Hope and mentioning him so we don’t forget him. Amd finally John giving Natalie his mother’s ring. Now, they are officially engaged. I can’t wait to see the next episodes to see how all the lies by Clint and everyone he has used, play out in the end. Should be enough to keep all us fans watching. Once again, thanks Michael…

My favorites were seeing all of the kids included in this episode, the
way it should be for a Christmas episode. I love Carmen LoPorto and
Patrick Gibbons, Jr. (the new Sam) did great with him as Sam and
Jack brought their antics. It was great seeing Hope, Shane, and
Bree, too. Of course, I had to laugh out loud when Echo fell down that
chimney, but the prelude to that with Sam and Jack made that scene.
I wish we would see more of these kids on a more regular basis.

One Life to Live had the best Christmas episode. The scenes with Jack, Sam, Dorian, Blair, Kelly and Echo were the best! Y&R’s scrooge episode was good too, but will it really change Victor? Y&R lately is too crazy for me. Everyone is bed hopping and there are too many new characters who are just aren’t interesting (the Australian crew, Daisy, Heather & Ronan – He has more chemistry with Chloe). B&B reminds me of the old Y&R, since Ed Scott is the show’s new producer. Mr. Scott used to be Y&R’s executive producer.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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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

‘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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