News
One Life's Ron Carlivati on Passanante return and "new fun people" coming to the canvas!
In a new interview with On-Air On-Soaps, One Life to Live’s head writer, Ron Carlivati speaks to the addition of current As the World Turns head writer, and former OLTL scribe, Jean Passanante, who is heading back to the Llanview writing team later this summer. When word was announced of Jean’s new position as Associate Writer at One Life, fans and pundits felt it may have signaled the end for Carlivati. Not so. Ron addressed the decision to bring Jean on board.
Carlivati stated, “We had room in our writing team. I had worked with her before, and so I reached out for Jean to come onto our writing team. I think it blew up into what her role would be. It was she who hired me at One Life to Live. I am thrilled. Jean is a fantastic person and a fantastic writer. She gave me my first job, and it was she who hired me at One Life to Live. I have wanted to work with her ever since she left One Life to Live, and it never quite worked out. And unfortunately, I am working with her because As the World Turns is going off the air, but I am thrilled she is coming on. She is incredibly intelligent, and has a great sense of story that is well balanced. There is comedy and romance, and she can balance all those elements and she has a really good sense of character. She creates wonderful characters, and she sees the strengths and weaknesses of a character. A lot of what you saw going back to the classic Todd/Marty story had to do with Jean!”
Also addressed with Ron was if there was a new style or direction coming to One Life to Live on the horizon. The head writer offered up this statement. ” To me, our show is always changing and evolving. I think that is the nature of a soap opera. At the heart of it, it will always be the same core characters and the same core values. To that extent, we are bringing in some new fun people and our stories are shifting around and changing, but I think that is what we always do.”
Make sure to read the entire interview with Ron, and a seperate feature with Kristen Alderson as part of the three-day musical event, Starr X’d Lovers playing out on One Life to Live through Tuesday, May 18th.
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
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.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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?
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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actually, I think a lot of viewers would like to see some old people come back on… namely Kish.
I totally agree, md1347. They are such a popular couple and both Scott Evans and Brett Claywell could be great at doing comedy as well as drama (especially raising a new baby). I honestly can’t understand why FV and RC cannot see the appeal this couple has both nationally and worldwide. No other couple in daytime has ever achieved the popularity they did in such a short time, and especially both nationally AND internationally. I would think the sponsors of the show would LOVE having them back as their products are sold and used in foreign countries the same as they are here in the U.S. They would be a great advertising plus for the show and its sponsors.
The “cop shop” just isn’t the same without Oliver. I love Brody and all, but he just doesn’t do the cop role very well. And, all of the people he ends arresting are at least a head taller than he is! He’s even shorter than most of the women on the show. He definitely does not do the police uniform justice, especially in comparison to Oliver Fish. Oliver was absolutely gorgeous in uniform …… strappingly handsome. He wore that uniform VERY VERY well.
Both Scott Evans and Brett Claywell just made AE’s Top 100 Hunkiest Guys list! Scott was #2 (WOW) on the list and Brett was #19. OLTL should be taking advantage of their immense popularity as they could (and I am convinced WOULD) definitely have the next soap supercouple as part of their cast. Sooner or later OLTL is going to have to realize that RIGI is horrible, and nobody likes them, especially FF! Even on OLTL’s own website, Rigi isn’t even mentioned whereas Kish is a huge fan favorite. Wake up, Mr. Valentini. You had a gold mine right under your nose and you let it get away! Please, for the sake of the viewers who have supported this show for 20, 30 and even 40 years, bring Kish back! The viewers have been loyal to you and to OLTL. Now YOU need to show some loyalty to the viewers. (And, by the way, I am a “mainstream” viewer …. white, married, middle-aged female from the midwest who has watched OLTL since its first airdate). As an obvious and extremely loyal viewer for 40 years, I think I have the right to ask for a KISH return! I would like to return to watching the show, but won’t if Kish isn’t a part of its future. Kish was wonderful and told such a beautiful story, one that benefitted the show immensely. It broke my heart to see them leave as they were the one thing that was actually keeping me watching the show.
I really hope Kish (Scott and Brett) will get to return to the show, as I think long-time loyal viewers of the show deserve at least that much from OLTL. It’s time for OLTL to show some loyalty to its fans and to society in general by bringing back the wonderful KISH storyline.
I agree with md1347, bring back “Kish”, even if it’s only in the way we see Marcie and Michael.. a few updates every couple of months would be good. Also, we could see Gigi visitng the baby once and awhile.
Yes, bring back Kish and I will never miss an episode ever again! Scott and Brett were such a special part of the show and they were super talented and the show is just not the same without them.
When is One Life To Live gonna start filming in Hi-Def?