Breaking News
Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Passes Away As Soap Stars & Fans Remember Her Love For Her Soaps: Y&R and B&B
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.
I too was a lifelong fan of this wonderful artist. I have all of her 60s/70s Atlantic catalog CDs, favorites being LADY SOUL and SPIRIT IN THE DARK. Then in the 80s she started wowing us again with classics like FREEWAY OF LOVE and a stunning cover of JUMPING JACK FLASH. Certain people can be imitated but never replaced: Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, Otis Redding, Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett, and most certainly Aretha Franklin. She’ll be missed. But please, no more vocal tributes by talentless wannabes like Ariana Grande. It’s insulting.
I totally agree!!!
Soaphound…oh, I TOTALLY AGREE with you about that talentless Ariana Grande. I find her to be BEYOND ANNOYING!!!!!
Later.
Doesn’t it make you laugh, jaybird? It’s just another way for these oversized egos to make Aretha’s death “their moment”. Too bad they can’t imitate Aretha’s class, dignity, and originality rather than butchering her songs. Show a little genuine RESPECT. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Soaphound…EXACTLY!!!!! As far as I’m concerned, Ariana Grande’s brother Frankie (from his season of Big Brother) is just as annoying as his sister Ariana. BEYOND BLECH!!!!!
Later.
This is why my husband and I are into the “Golden Oldies”. Not our generation, I know, Soaphound and Jay…..but today’s music, with the exception of a select few, suc*s.
The 80’s gave birth to notable music……
We do like the 90’s metal, as well.
My faves are, in order: Freddie Mercury, Paul Rodgers, George Michael, Sebastian Bach….of course, Elvis and Aretha…..so many more; Gene Pitney, Del Shannon, Bobby Vee ….do not want to bore you guys, but you get the picture? The Rolling Stones, but not the Beetles too much. Is that weird? Not liking the Beetles much?? My grandmother was crazy about Paul. LOL.
All the Motown artists!!
BYE.
Celia, Rolling Stones AND Freddie Mercury AND Billy Miller…I knew we were kindred spirits. I admire some Beatles but, for some reason, their music depresses me. Always has and I’m not sure why. But the Stones? To me, GIMME SHELTER is the greatest rock record ever made, and some others are not far behind. I also love the singer/songwriter period of the early 70s. Joni Mitchell’s songs literally saved my life after a bad breakup, and I still listen to Carly Simon, Jennifer Warnes, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt regularly. And they produced great music for several decades. So hard to believe that 90 percent of today’s “legends” will be around in FIVE years. Love the Oldies, too, especially the AMERICAN GRAFFITI soundtrack.
Soaphound…to this day, my ALL-TIME FAVE Rolling Stones songs are Emotional Rescue, Harlem Shuffle and Waiting On A Friend. And…to me, the Stones’ music especially peaked (successfully and all) throughout the 1980’s…TOTALLY!!!!!
Later, Soaphound.
How about “Hang Fire,” Jaybird??? I remember that song oh so well from the summer of what, 1982??? Seemed to be playing at all the parties and teen hangouts I frequented during those halcyon days. And “She’s So Cold,” too, I think was from around the same time??? I was serenaded with that one by a particularly musical beau who had an impressive repertoire of sexy tunes! LOL.
Yeah, Soaphound….our Billy deserves someone who loves him as much as we do…
My Freddie died too young…..I was five when he died. Had I been old enough I would have sought him out, LOL.
Although he was bi, the love of his life was a woman….I read every piece of literature written…
The Stones….”Painted Black”…LOVE IT!!
As my husband, I love Aerosmith, as well.
My husband is from Boston and he worked his way through College, until Medical School, at a health food supermarket there, Bread And Circus— he met Steve Tyler, who frequented the store regularly ( Tyler is from Yonkers, NY, but has lived in Boston forever) and they would chit chat….guy stuff?
There is nothing today which can compare to the ‘oldies’—-I wonder if the 80’s and 90’s music now falls unto the category of “oldies”?
As Jay said, ROCK ON!!
❤️
As someone who remembers Aerosmith from their crazy, hazy days of rock and roll excess, the notion of Steven Tyler shopping in a health food store is a rather amusing one, to say the least! (I know he finally cleaned himself up, but still….Lol.) As for Freddie, bet you cannot wait to see “Bohemian Rhapsody!” Oh, and count me in as another not-so-much Beatles fan…there are a few songs of theirs I really fancy but beyond that, I can take them or leave them, although I always liked Ringo!!! (You’re Sixteen! It Don’t Come Easy….) So where have you been, CeeCeeGirl? Enjoying one last blast of the dwindling days of summer? Hope all is well….
HaHa, Shaybelle….that’s funny…Steve Tyler ( Tallarico) frequenting such a food store does throw one aback….he mainly bought organic, LOL.
As far as Freddie? You bet…can’t wait … I hope Malek does him justice.
I truly and sincerely have never loved ( imagine…postmortem) a celebrity, dead or alive this much. He was just so gripping….everything about him was raving mad ( in a good way, LOL)….I still watch his videos…mesmerizing!! I never tire….each time is brand new!! His moves, his voice, his stage presence was/is immeasurable and unparalleled.
I think Elvis, along with Michael Jackson and Prince had that “je ne sais quoi” intangible and innate quality only a few possess.
Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake come close.
Of course so many other singers ( talking strictly males here) have the ‘gift’, yet not all have ‘everything’ in one package.
BTW….I’ve been around….here, there and everywhere…since you asked, LOL. I am in and out….so much going on…my sister is about to give birth and she and her husband just bought a new house…..these two can never do one thing at a time….drives me nuts, LOL.
Anyway…Aretha is the female version of the above male singers. Every one of her songs is a hit for me…..great to dance to.
Oh, yeah…..what is going on with GH and the repeats? I tried catching up, but I got old shows….was good to see Dom, though….never thought I’d say this, but I miss him. Take Lulu instead, Ye gods!!
Hmmmm….
Bye, bella.
Celia…myself personally??? I’ve always been a BIG fam of music from the 70’s…and an EVEN BIGGER fan of music from the 1980’s (and the music videos that came with it)…and SOME of the music from the 90’s. Music memories…lol. Celia…you and your husband ROCK ON…TOTALLY!!!!!
Later, my friend.
Right, Jay? I remember you saying how much you love Joan Jett…..I love all that music…
I grew up with both my parents and grandparents listening to the genre of the time…..
My maternal grandparents have a an extensive collection of 45’s and albums…..love listening to them over and over….music has always been alive well in my family.
My husband is the son of Italian immigrants and experienced the same rearing…MUSIC EVERYWHERE– anytime…
I mentioned some of my faves….I forgot THE ANIMALS….” House of the Rising Sun”? Oh, my….what can I say!!!!
We have cookouts almost every weekend, when home.
We set up a makeshift stage and sing our hearts out….my husband is a really good singer…some of his faves are Aerosmith, ELO and the Steve Miller Band.
What’s life without music?
❤️
Celia…quick correction: Fan and not fam. Sorry about that. My bad.
Later, my friend.
R.I.P. Aretha Franklin. Listened to her greatest hits today. ” The moment I wake up/before I put on my make-up”…
RESPECT!
Rest In Peace Queen Of Soul. You will be truly missed. Amen.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T–love dancing to this ‘bestest’ song.
You got it, my lady…all my respect and love.
May your eternal repose be peaceful.
Condolence to the family. You lost a world’s treasure!!
Hey, CeeCeeGirl! Never followed this lady’s music all that much, but I still have to say that her “viewing” featuring her attired in a different snazzy ensemble each day and arriving in a classic LeSalle are truly special touches that even those of us not that into her tunes can “respect!” Aretha is going out in style!
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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