News
OLTL's Hillary B. Smith on Bob Woods, Daytime Emmys, as her Auction Continues!
Courtesy/ABC
It’s a start of a brand new week which means a new One Life to Live/Hillary B. Smith auction item is up for bids on ebay to support the Willee-Coppee Fund. As previously mentioned, the fund discreetly assist pet owners who may be struggling with overwhelming veterinary bills for man’s best friend.
Make sure to bid this week on an adorable wood-framed cartoon by Anita Massimini Brown from the personal collection of Hillary. It was presented to her in 1998 by the “One Life to Live” Fan Club when Bo and Nora (Robert S. Woods and Hillary) were voted that year’s “Best Couple.” The cartoon depicts Hillary in her dressing room, smiling out at us from the comfort of her make-up chair. Posters of New York and Hollywood are on the wall to her left. To her right, with an appropriate star, is her dressing room door, which reads “One Life to Live Fan Club.” Above her on the make-up mirror are the words “1998 Best Couple – Bo & Nora.” In anticipation of this auction Hillary and Bob personally autographed the back of the drawing, with Hillary adding the words “Live, Love, Donate.” The cartoon, including its very simple wood frame and blue matte, measures 11.25″ x 9.25″ and has been in Hillary’s “One Life to Live” dressing room since she received it twelve years ago.
And now, the next installment of our exclusive interview with One Life to Live’s, Nora and Venice’s, Guya. And since tonight’s item up for bids has to do with Bo and Nora, we thought we would talk Daytime Emmy submissions, (since Bo and Nora had some amazing scenes with each other this past year) and Hillary’s thoughts on working with Bob Woods again after the couple (Bo and Nora) were split apart for ten years!
Hillary on what episode she is submitting for her Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom for Lead Actress: “It was tough to choose, and I did not realize I had as much material as I did. I had wonderful scenes with Bob Woods when Bo and Nora went to England but they were really his scenes. I am referring to where he confesses and apologizes for the ten years of icky bitchiness that happened with Bo and Nora, and it melted away, and he confesses he still loves her. I thought about that. I hope Bob Woods uses those scenes for his pre-nom. Bob is so beautifully understated, and so subtle and funny. But for me, in the end, I narrowed it down to two shows revolving around Matthew’s accident. The one I am going with is when we are finding out that Matthew has no feelings in his legs, and dealing with the doctor and trying to figure out what does this mean. Then Nora has to go back in and be upbeat for Matthew. Then I have a moment when I am alone and can let it all out. Marty comes in and I ask about Cole and then I find out Cole was doing drugs that night. And, I go to Cole and I let him have it and I end up shaking him. Then I leave his room and I find out that the three kids knew he was doing drugs and I let them have it, and then Bo comes up to me, and he then has Cole arrested. I love the scenes where I am kind of all over the hospital and moving things and as a mother, its totally relatable. It’s all her mothering instincts that kick in on all the levels.
Courtesy/ABC
Hillary on finally re-teaming and working with Bob Woods again: “I am so happy working with him again, and we did that remote recently where we were doing the bridge scenes, and all of us in the cast were freezing, and we stayed a night at a hotel and it was fun. Bob and I were at the bar and I lifted my drink and I toasted him. I said, “It is so great to work with you again,” and Bob said, “I forgot how easy it is.” That was so sweet, and we have been trying to do the material that comes to us and try to honor it as best we can. Ten years ago we were split up in the most ridiculous fashion. (Nora sleeping with Sam to get pregnant) I even called the President of ABC Daytime, and back then it was Pat Fili. I said, “Are you kidding me? You can’t have me do this. This makes no sense at all.” But, I had to do it because that is what I am paid to do.”
Hillary on if years ago she truly wanted Bo and Nora to split: “There were plenty of things we could have done staying together. I think that probably it’s exciting to work with other people and trying to make those things work with other characters. There was a lot that got played in those ten years, but to be perfectly honest, I just want to do a scene on a soundstage with someone I can count on, and that person is Bob Woods.”
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
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Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
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Great interview, I love HBS she is such a wonderful actress and a gracious person!
I am hoping the Bo and Nora will be getting their own storyline soon
Thank you Michael. That was lovely. I agree with Hillary on which scenes RSW should use. He had some good scenes with Matthew’s accident and before the wedding, but those London scenes were really special.
I just adore HBS. What a wonderful interview. I agree with the episode she submitted– she was AMAZING in those scenes— and with everything she said about Bob and her. I hope Bo and Nora will be getting more screentime. They’ve been my favoriate couple for years. LOL.
i love hbs…great actress and so down to earth..she deserves an emmy especially after those scenes!!!
I love Hillary, but she will ALWAYS be MARGO HUGHES ( ATWT ) to me!
I am so happy to see Bo and Nora together again. They are such great actors and a great team!
Also, Thank you Hillary for the fund you have set up to help animals in need in honor of you r own dog. The auction is a great idea thanks Michael for bringing us the info and opportunity to help.
HBS IS THE GREATEST…I ENJOY HER ACTING SO MUCH AND IM THRILLED TO SEE BO AND NORA REUNITED AND TOGETHER ON MY SCREEN AGAIN EVEN IF THE CURRENT STORYLINE SUCKS….
I am a big fan of bo and nora. I am so glad that they are back together. Any storyline is great when they are in it. Hope they are together as long as the show is on TV and online. Great Actors.