News
Robert Newman Reveals He’s Wrapped His Run as Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless
This week on The Young and the Restless, viewers witnessed Nick (Joshua Morrow) punching the lights out of Ashland (Robert Newman) to save his sister, Victoria (Amelia Heinle). Problem is, Ashland fell and hit his head, and the Newman children thought he was dead, but then, his body somehow disappeared from the scene of the altercation. Tune in to today’s Y&R for more on that!
Now, Robert Newman has clarified his status with Y&R, revealing in a newly posted ‘thank you’ video to the fans, and the cast and crew at the CBS soap opera, that he has finished his contract and is off the series.
Photo: JPI
In his farewell message, Robert expressed: “Today, I just want to talk for a minute to The Young and the Restless fans. I think it’s appropriate for me now to finally be able to say thank you so much for letting me be a part of the legacy of this great show. Just to clarify, the scenes you saw the other day, Ashland dying at the hands of Nick, were in fact my last scenes on the show … and the end of my contract. Those were shot about five weeks ago.”
The former Guiding Light alum where he played Joshua Lewis, also took a moment to share that he is now back on the East Coast with his family. He went on to say,”I did want to take a minute to say thank you to you, and also to just do a shout-out to the cast and crew of The Young and the Restless who were just fantastic, just wonderful people to work with. I couldn’t have been happier about it. I very much enjoyed playing the character, and I hope you enjoyed seeing me in the role. I know for some of you, it was a tough transition from Richard’s (Burgi) work, but I really, really enjoyed playing the character and working with these fantastic people.”
But as soap operas go, and the curious way Ashland’s on-screen departure came to pass, Newman left fans with a cliffhanger, sharing, “Maybe I’ll see you again one day; you never know!”
Check out Robert’s video message below.
Now let us know, Sad to hear Robert is done at Y&R? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Y&R is very frustrating lately with the lack of story payoffs and wasted potential. Robert Newman was wasted as Ashland, and all the potential the character had vanished. I thought for sure the writers would pair Ashland and Diane and have them go after both the Newman and Abbott families (and companies), which would have been great drama. When that didn’t happen, I was certain Ashland would die in a “whodunit” murder storyline which could have incorporated so many characters.
But nope, instead, Ashland hits his head on the ground, we think he dies, but then he disappears… only to return at some point down the road? Let’s hope not. I just wish this story and character had more of a payoff, just like how I wish Rey’s death led to more. Another character with so much potential wasted, I wanted his death to actually mean something. I’m not sure why the show is written so blandly, but it’s really disappointing.
This is terrible news ! He was one of the only good characters left on the show . Unfortunately they didn’t know how to write a true villain . I know I’ve been saying this for some time but My God This Show Sucks !!! Please please please someone at CBS fire Josh Griffith . He is and has been the worst head writer to ever be in charge of this show . I think everyone needs to check out Young and The Restless clips online . There’s a huge difference !! Fire Josh G now !!!!
Totally
If your new to the show you wouldn’t give it a second look. Of all my family and friends who watched religiously forever I’m the only one left who still loyally watches just hoping Griffith and Morina get the boot
Say what? No offense but I have no idea what you are talking about.
Do you think that you could do a better job writing the show?
Yes! My cat could do a better job writing this show!
And yet you’re watching it? This seems to be one of those times that the advice to ‘get a life’ really applies since you’ve got nothing better to do than watch a show that you hate.
This is really too bad. It was so nice to see a new character interact with one from a legacy family instead of the same old merry go round of pairng up two characters that have been on the show forever. He and Victoria had a lot of chemistry and they could have had the characters try and out do each other for a long time to come. I really kept hoping that their fights would end passionately instead of in this tragedy.
Let’s be honest after Richard Burghi got fired and was replaced, The character took a very dark one note tone. Newman and Amelia’s chemistry as Victoria and Ashland were gone. It was almost father daughter. Hopefully one day Burghi can return as the real Ashland. Shame, He and Amelia had so much potential.
I totally agree! I love Robert Newman, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between them either. Y&R is in desperate need of a writer change.
You are such a class act guy Mr. Newman. Thank you for the time you put in on Young and Restless. I thought you were better and better in your role as Ashland. Maybe you will do a stint as Ashland’s ghost in the future. Enjoy those
grandbabies.
So, all those scenes involving Adam and Ashland joining forces against the Newmans were yet MORE wasted time? Way to go, powers that be.
Sad day for Robert Newman fans so much potential wasted. I wanted to see locke ness monster and only got groveling Ashland.
I loved The Guiding Light (Josh & Reba) and loved seeing you on Y&R. All the best for your future Robert ❤️
I loved seeing Robert Newman as well. When I first seem him I said Josh oh my goodness You are right Joshua and Reba they played their part well. How to see you again
A wonderful actor. I watched him for years on As The World Turns. It seemed strange to see him being such a tough business man and person. It just goes to show what a natural he truly is. Hope to see him pop up again in other shows. Best of luck to him!
Cathy
Don’t think he’s ever been on ATWT, I think you meant GL, where he was for years.
I for one will miss him on Y&R. I admit missing Burgi at first but then it felt like we had Joshua Lewis back again, even with the lack of chemestry between he and Victoria, I enjoyed him in all his scenes. I wish him the best life has to offer and know he will be giving pleasure to people for years to come.
What a waste lots of storyline potential here the set up in the park with Harrison was nauseating if you want us to like Kyle that wasn’t the way to do it and the character of Victoria has become such an ice princess she’s unwatchable outside of diane Phyllis Nick and Sharon and ally and noah the rest is a snore
Good job Robert. Now can GH please hire him as a recast Dr Jeff Webber?
Newman lives on the east coast and insisted on only a one-year contract with Y&R. Unless Frank wants someone short-term, I don’t see Newman playing Jeff. Heck, despite Elizabeth mentioning the character, I’m not sure we’ll ever see Jeff back in PC.
Good idea but GH already has too many talented actors who are underused!
This is kind of a side topic. I thought Robert did great in the role. I want to talk more about the writing.
Just 4 years ago, Victoria was being manhandled by JT, and Nikki clubbed him and “killed” him. The body disappeared
Flash forward now, Victoria was being manhandled by Ashland, and Nick clubbed and “killed” him. The body disappeared.
Are they just recycling old scripts? They had a classic whodunit on their hands with half the main cast having motive to kill Ashland.
It seems when Richard burgi left they didn’t know what direction to go with Ashland Diane and Ashland would have been great it fell flat Ashland seemed to be joining forces with Adam and nothing. Chelsea seemed to have a strange Rey obsession upon his death nothing the new faith and Moses are so nothing they seem to be gone chance is nothing and Devon needs to be gone just absolutely boring. Sometimes we get nice character development and many times missed opportunities
Why didn’t you sign up for a longer time on the show??
You are a great actor! God bless you
I had gotten use to Ashland being in control at all times. I know princess Victoria stripped him of everything. But it’s hard for me to believe he would so utterly fall apart at the end. Starting with trashing his hotel room. So I think his ending was sloppy, lazy, and out of character for Ashland on the writers part. But Robert played the scenes magnificently.
Wow. Josh Griffith’s writing was starting to get just a LITTLE bit better…and he pulls this lead-balloon. What a let down. All that Ashland—revenge talk, and…NOTHING.
Robert Newman breathed new life into the formerly somnolent, redundant and tiresome Newman family. The writers should have had Ashland seek vengeance through the strategic corporate raiding of Newman Industries. Instead, they turn him into Freddy Kruger and a repeat of JT’s storyline. Both Robert and his character deserved better than this. Robert is the best actor Y&R has seen in quite some time.
I completely agree. Robert Newman brought life to the redundant Newman family stories. He was a credible and interesting character who combat the Newmans for once.
I don’t understand how they ruined this story. I am happy that Ashland went missing, so I am hoping he is alive and can return.
Actually surprised he took the job he lives back east has kept busy over the years with plays etc . He sounds thrilled to be back home and he will get to skip that awful commute . Life is too short to not be with the ones you love and he is already working again!
So sad he is gone. Great actor. I liked him with Victoria.
Burgi and Newman were both great in different versions of Ashland. When Burgi was replaced, they should have went a little younger with the new Ashland. Both versions of the Ashlands seemed awkward being in a romantic relationship with Victoria. Robert Newman was fantastic in his final scenes with Victoria and then Nick. Since Ashland is gone, lets have Adam reach out to Ian Ward. He really new how to get under Victor and Nicki’s skin!
Please please please someone at CBS fire Josh Griffith. He is and has been the worst head writer to ever be in charge of this show!
Wake Up CBS get rid of Josh he’s awful and I said this since he let go Gina T.
When BB is getting more watchers than Y&R this should be your wake call. The storylines are so 100% more interesting at BB than at Y&R. And I feel bad for the cast their so talented but not strong leader. Boring storylines and all yet over at GH they are rocking it!
What a treat it was to see fantastic Robert Newman take over the role and give this character dimension that went far beyond the writing. These east coast, theatre-trained actors inject such life into the west coast shows. He’s the reason I tuned back in after giving up on Y&R a couple of years ago. It was a treat while it lasted!
I would really like to redirect this conversation to the aftermath of Ashland’s death.Im so sick of Victor playing God. He just makes things worse and this time they might not have enough room at the jail for everyone involved and the others being complicit just by knowing what really happened. When arrested I can just hear Victor saying, I just did what I did to protect my children. He is too much. He needs to retire,I’ve always been a big Victor fan, but this is too much, jeopardizing his whole family.
Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”
Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.
Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
News
Michael Easton Pays Homage to ‘One Life to Live’ Cast and Those From Llanview We Lost in Candid Photos
Michael Easton remains one of the soulful individuals we know. Not only is he an accomplished actor from his various roles on daytime soaps, primetime and films, but he is graphic novelist, a director, writer and a photographer.
In a surprise Instagram post on Tuesday, November 10, Easton took a trip back to Llanview and the beloved One Life to Live with a series of photographs that he himself took and showcased in a touching display.
It was on One Life to Live that Easton first portrayed John McBain, a role he played from 2003-2012, and then, he would play the role for another year after OLTL was canceled and he took the character over to General Hospital until 2013. With all the ABC/Prospect Park legal disputes going down at that time over who owned the rights to the characters, eventually Easton became Silas Clay on GH, and later Hamilton Finn.
Photos: Michael Easton
Now, Easton is sharing some fantastic snaps he took 21-years ago when the OLTL cast recorded a benefit album to help those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
The photos include: the late Phil Carey (ex-Asa Buchanan), Renee Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline Williamson), plus the late Kamar de los Reyes, who was Easton’s best friend and the former Antonio Vega of Llanview.
In addition, there are images of six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Victoria Lord), Timothy D. Stickney (ex-RJ Gannon), Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica Buchanan), Tika Sumpter (ex-Layla Williamson), Robin Strasser (ex- Dorian Lord), the late Patricia Elliot (ex-Renee Buchanan), Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie Balsom) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning), Kathy Brier (ex-Marcie Walsh), Ilene Kristen (ex-Roxy Balsom) and even Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana Cramer), Trevor St. John (ex-Todd/Victor Lord Jr.), Robert S. Woods (ex-Bo Buchanan), Catherine Hickland (ex-Lindsay Rappaport), the late Nathaniel Marston (ex-Al Holden), Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair Cramer), and Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew Buchanan).
Photo: Michael Easton
In his post, Easton shared in full: “FOUND A MEMORY (part one) stored on an old Nikon camera. In 2005, the cast of One Life to Live recorded a benefit album with all the proceeds going to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Not being nearly as talented as my fellow actors (looking back what a badass cast it was) my contribution was to take photographs of their amazing faces.”
Michael continued, “In lieu of a proper photo studio, our friend Richie Hersch was kind enough to loan us his bar, Prohibition, on the upper west side for the afternoon to have an impromptu jam session. It was a beautiful time and I look back fondly on those moments, even when it takes finding a camera to awake the memory.”
With sorrow, Easton also shared, “It also brings up a little heartache as some of our friends are no longer with us and although they live in our hearts it’s nice to see them again and remember how perfect they were.”
This was followed by PART Two of FOUND A MEMORY with a carousel of images from Easton in a second post, which included: candid shots of Melissa Fumero, Dan Gauthier (ex-Kevin Buchanan) Paul Satterfield (ex-Dr. Spencer Truman) along with Trevor St. John, Nathaniel Marston, Kamar de los Reyes and many others.
Take a look at the One Life to Live cast images from Michael Easton below.
Then let us know, does it make you miss the beloved ABC soap opera even more? What did you think of Michael’s photos of the cast? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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On Tuesday, November 10, Matt Cohen (Detective Burrow, The Young and the Restless, and formerly Dr. Griffin Munro, General Hospital) stars in a new holiday rom-com alongside soap alum Brittany Underwood (ex-Langston Wilde, One Life to Live) in Christmas at the Zoo.
The holiday movie streams beginning today on Tubi. In story, an entrepreneur brokering a sponsorship for a zoo’s new Humboldt penguin habitat finds herself caught between business and romance after falling for a compassionate zookeeper during the holidays.
Cohen visited ABC 7 Chicago’s Windy City Weekend and chatted with hosts, Josh McBride and Val Wilmer about his role in the story which was filmed in Chicago at the famed Brookfield Zoo.
Courtesy/Tubi
FALLING FOR THE PENGUINS
“There are not a lot of rom-coms that have been told like this, almost entirely about the Brookfield Zoo,” explained Cohen. “And if you know anything about Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo holds it down. This is a zoo that truly cares about the animals. The caretakers are amazing. And this movie’s going to make you cry. It’s going to make you laugh.”
Matt expressed he was touched by the animals during the filming, especially the penguins! “I’m in the mix of a lot of penguins and I knew them all by name,” the actor shared proudly. “I’ve got a real way with the penguins that would surprise you. I became like a real zookeeper during this thing. It was wild. I got passionate about it.”
Photo: Tubi
DOES THIS ZOOKEEPER FIND LOVE?
Explaining the epicenter of the story, Cohen shared, “The premise is very simple, It’s a man that works at the zoo. He care very much about these animals. The female lead comes in, wants to change things for the animals to make more money, make more profit. That hurts my heart. I can’t let that happen. I got to protect them during that process. Maybe we fall in love or maybe we don’t. I don’t want to spoil this Christmas movie. But, it feels good because the animals are the center of this thing. ”
At the end of the day, the rom-com is all about love for the animals, and if his character finds love! “It’s the center of this love story. It’s about helping them, not ourselves,” explained Cohen. “So, if were you an animal lover before this movie? I am a dog lover, a cat lover. I never knew I was a penguin man. I am a penguin man. I love giraffes. I love people. Go to the zoo. It feels good.”
You can catch Matt’s conversation on Windy City Weekend below and the trailer for Christmas at the Zoo.
Now let us know, will you be checking the movie out and would you like to see Matt have a more prominent role in Genoa City under the new head writing regime at Y&R, or if not, join another soap? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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‘The Young and the Restless’: New Co-Head Writers Talk Drama, Romance, and Intrigue Ahead in Genoa City on the Eve of Their Debut Script
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Michael Easton Pays Homage to ‘One Life to Live’ Cast and Those From Llanview We Lost in Candid Photos
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
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