Breaking News
Phil Donahue, Legendary Daytime Talk Show Host, Dies at 88
Phil Donahue, a trailblazer in the daytime talk show format, has passed away. The longtime TV talk show host died on Sunday night, August 18th after a long illness his family shared. He was 88-years old.
Marlo Thomas, Donahue’s wife for more than 44 years, along with his sister, children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlies surrounded him as he passed on. The news of his death was confirmed by Today on Monday.
It was just three months ago in May, that Donahue received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden.

Photo: AP
Phil’s success truly began when the issue-oriented The Phil Donahue Show was picked up for national syndication in 1969, then was renamed Donahue in 1974. Soon, more than 200 stations carried his show. The talk show continued on until 1996, when the daytime talkshow landscape changed to the Jerry Springer and Sally Jesse Raphael’s of it all. In addition, Oprah Winfrey and her success was taking away his female audience.
During his run, segments of Donahue were also broadcast three times a week on NBC’s Today, and he joined the staff as a regular interviewer. He also hosted NBC primetime specials, including the Emmy-winning Donahue and Kids and the five-part Phil Donahue Examines the Human Animal.

Photo: JPI
Later in 2002-03, Donahue briefly returned to television with a self-titled MSNBC talk show in which he interviewed newsmakers on social and political issues.
In his career, Phil would win 10 Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Host and 10 for Outstanding Talk Show, and the show would capture 200 Emmys during its run.

Photo: NBC
When Donahue called it quits at the age of 60, Oprah Winfrey presented him with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement honor in 1996, and shared, “I want to thank you for opening the door so wide, wide enough for me to walk through. Had there not been a Phil Donahue, I don’t believe there could have been an Oprah.”
After receiving his Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy, Phil, in turn, shared, “Having to go in there every day and jump out of a cake and make sure you have a nice crisp clean shirt and all that, it was wonderful while it lasted, but I think we chose the right time to walk. I’ve never regretted it.”
The family requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.
Survivors include Donahue’s second wife, Marlo Thomas, whom he married in 1980; and his five children from his first marriage.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the passing of Phil Donahue via the comment section below.
We attended a taping of Donahue VERY late in the series’ run … less than five years before he called it quits. Was very impressed with him. After the taping wrapped, he stood at the doorway of the tiny studio and shook hands with every single audience member, thanking us for coming. RIP, Phil!
I am stunned by this very sad news. Phil Donahue was the founding father of daytime talk television. He was such a champion for all human rights. He helped open doors for everyone, those front of the camera and in the audience. He was absolutely transformative. My deepest sympathy to his entire family and friends.
Thank you Mr. Donahue for sharing your life with all of us. May you rest in peace.
He was so handsome and nice. RIP
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
Breaking News
Jennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82
Sad news to report for the One Life to Live family. Actress Jennifer Harmon who was the last actress to play the emotionally troubled Cathy Craig has passed away. Harmon, who also starred on the defunct NBC soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage, died in New York on May 9 at the age of 82. Harmon’s family made the announcement.
Jennifer was the fifth actress to play One Life to Live’s Cathy, following Catherine Burns, Amy Levitt, Jane Alice Brandon and Dorrie Kavanaugh. During her two year tenure with the soap, from 1976 through 1978, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 5th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1978. The award that year went to Another World’s Laurie Heineman (ex-Sharlene Frame).
In her soap career, not only did Harmon have major success as Cathy on One Life to Live, but she starred on NBC’s new soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage as Chris Kirby and stayed with the series through its entire run which lasted just over a year from 1974-1975.

Photo: NBC
How to Survive a Marriage told the story of divorced couple as they battle for custody of their daughter, and as the mom enters the workforce. In the span of a year, Chris got divorced, remarried and battled alcoholism. Rosemary Prinz was the featured name in the cast.
On One Life to Live, Cathy was the nemesis of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak). Cathy blamed the wealthy Viki for the accident that killed her child Megan Craig Riley (even though the baby has a congenital heart defect and her life expectancy was short). So, she set out to make Viki’s life hell by kidnapping Viki and Joe’s child, Kevin.
Later, Jennifer would return to One Life to Live in the 90s to play Viki’s attorney in a new role, went on to play Jean Weatherill on Guiding Light in 1991 and Lucretia Jones on Loving in 1995. Her primetime TV credits included: Barnaby Jones, Dallas, The White Shadow, St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Street, Oz, Rescue Me and The Good Wife.
Harmon was also known as one of the most accomplished stage actresses on Broadway having appeared over 21 times in different productions spanning nearly 50 years including in plays of the works of legendary playwrights: Noël Coward, Wendy Wasserstein, Lillian Hellman, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Jon Robin Baitz. Throughout her theatre career she was was known as a reliable actress, and at times was an understudy for the likes of: Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange.
Share your remembrances of Jennifer Harmon on One Life to Live, How to Survive a Marriage, and more, in the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘EastEnders’ Wins Best Soap at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards
Our friends from across the pond, BBC One’s EastEnders took home Best Soap honors at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards in London, England on Sunday, May 10.
Just last year, EastEnders celebrated 40 years on television and has seen a resurgence. In attendance were cast members: Michelle Collins, Jessie Wallace, Diane Parish, and Aaron Thiara, as well former executive producer Chris Clenshaw and his successor, current showrunner Ben Wadey.
EastEnders was nominated in the category along with their rivals, Casualty and Coronation Street. Accepting on stage was 20-year veteran of the series, Diane Parish, who paid tribute to all the hard working people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “It’s not easy doing a soap, but we manage to make it work,” shared Parish.

Courtesy/BBCOne
A BIG RETURN AND MEDICAL CRISIS IN STORY AHEAD
Recently, it was confirmed that in honor of her two decades with the show, Parish’s character, Denise Fox, is set for a major storyline this year, when she is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer.
And there’s more! In the winner’s press room, Ben Wadey shared there is a major return in store teasing,“I would keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks, there might be some surprises on the horizon.”
On the official EastEnders Instagram account it also shared, “EastEnders has gone and won the Soap award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards! 🎉🥳🍾🙌What a huge honour, we truly couldn’t be prouder. Thank you BAFTA the whole cast and crew will be holding this one high when it makes it way home to Walford.”

Photo: EastEnders
BAFTA TV AWARD HISTORY IS MADE
Adolescence, the Netflix drama that took home Emmys and Golden Globes stateside, made BAFTA TV history during the ceremony winning four awards for the first time ever. Stephen Graham finally took home the coveted Leading Actor category in what was his 8th attempt to win a BAFTA in the fields of both TV and motion pictures.
The series is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time, and won BAFTA’s for Limited Drama and Supporting Actor and Actress for Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco.
For a complete list of all the winners, click here.
So, happy to hear EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Soap? If you catch EastEnders, who do you think might be returning on the horizon as teased by the series current EP? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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