News
Rowell speaks out on latest escapades of Winters clan on Y&R!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Victoria Rowell (Ex-Dru, Y&R) had some choice words when speaking with TV Guide Canada’s Nelson Branco in his new Soapgeist column out today. The former Y&R star addressed the latest developments happening to the Winters clan on the top CBS soap. (See comments below!) In the meantime, Drucilla and Victoria fans are awaiting with anticipation for her first novel, Secrets of a Daytime Diva due out in May!
Rowell on Y&R’s Neil and Ashley’s out-of-the-blue interracial romance: “What is Y&R thinking? A desperate attempt to make music without an orchestra? The thought of Neil and Ashley hooking up brings to mind the unlikely combo of a harpsichord and didgeridoo. [Chemistry] is more than swapping spit, folks. It’s called timing, organic, character-driven storytelling, and tenure. Minimize it all you want, but Genoa City’s black history can’t be erased.”
Rowell on Malcolm recast Darius McCrary: “Why does Y&R continue to undervalue its fan base by recasting Malcolm with the highly questionable Darius McCrary? Although McCrary is a solid actor in his own right, it remains to be seen if the true blue fans will accept him as Malcolm. Talk about poetic licence! I can just hear the notes being tossed about in a writers’ meeting now: ‘We’ll blame the remarkable non-father/daughter resemblance on a recessive gene in the Barber/Winters tribal gene pool.’ Or is it because Y&R couldn’t afford Moore?”
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?
Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”
Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
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News3 days agoY&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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Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
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Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
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General Hospital7 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
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News6 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoRaven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
VR seems like she’s full of sour grapes. She left Y&R, she didn’t get fired, she needs to get over it and move on
Sour Grapes
Onca again, VR has taken to badmouthing Y&R; my question to her would be, if you think the show is so dang bad, with its writing, pairing, casting & actors with less than top notch abilities, why would you ever want to return to work for such a show?
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, as VR has proved my point, yet again: Whatever happened between VR & TPTB, CBS, Sony & the Y&R cast, it’s between them, the viewers don’t care & she’s using her fans to get back on the show, hoping that what she says will get the fans irate enough to overwhelm the show with letters requesting her return or boycott the show on her behalf, how sad is that?
What is wrong with pairing Neil & Ashley? They’ve been great friends for years, they’ve recently started exploring the possibility of something deeper, which so far has amounted to a couple visits, a date or two, a few kisses & him supporting her, as any good friend would. So far, nothing has happened between the two to warrant such a negative opinion of the pairing. She’d rather us be of the opinion that the only one for Neil is Dru & the only Dru must be played by herself, anything else results in negative response from the fans.
Can’t afford Shemar Moore? Who says money is even a consideration? SM playing Derrek Morgan on Criminal Minds is a great character on an even greater show, who’s to say he’d even consider leaving that show to return to Y&R & daytime? Maybe, just maybe, he’s happy where he is & wouldn’t consider leaving for any amount of money; maybe he has no desire to return to daytime; maybe in primetime he’s found his niche in life, no one knows for sure except SM & to speculate the money is the reason he’s not returning to Y&R is foolish at best.
Her comments of DM are horrible, IMO. Who & what gives her the right to be judge & jury about his acting abilities or him being cast as Malcolm? They guy has been on the show for what, a month maybe & in that time we’ve see him in only a few scenes, giving the fans little to base such a decision regarding the actor, yet, she’s somehow seen enough to publicly state that he can’t be the next Malcolm, even tho he’s “a solid actor in his own right”
This is nothing more than bitterness & sour grapes. Playing on the sympathies of the fans to get their help in getting her back on Y&R; a show she most obviously has very little regard for, let alone its cast. I personally never cared for “Dru” & don’t want her back, just my opinion; but, I sure wouldn’t want her back with VR knowing that during the past year or more, she’s done nothing but badmouth every aspect of the show including the actors, blaming everyone involved for her not being recast. Maybe it’s time she was honest with herself & her fans, looked in the mirror & found the real reason she hasn’t been recast, could it be that her many comments have only proved that she’s not a team player? Would they really want her as part of the show when she has such little respect for every aspect of it?
let’s face it–it’s book promo time!!
While Victoria has some valid observations, it sounds like a lot of sour grapes. Couldn’t she have given one positive comment?……
Although a kind word is always a good thing; much of what she says has been said by fans and the common viewer. She speaks her mind ‘nd her heart. She’s just, “keeping it real!”
I’ll buy the book! 😉 no doubt it is a good read-like her or not!
I loved “Dru” and VR. I miss her on the show but all the negativity that VR puts out
I don’t understand why she just doesn’t move on and let that part of her life be over. She has so much talent as an actress and an author but she lets her “Y&R” emotions over shadow her.
Shemar Moore was willing to come back for a short contract while still doing Criminal minds, but Y&R wanted long term and he wasn’t able. Y&R choose to recast. That’s life on a soap. So many changes going on in the soap world makes one wonder how much longer any of the shows will be on the air in the next five years. It’s been very sad with the loss of many shows the last few years.
Victoria Rowell is keeping it real and she does not have to be polite about the lack of AA s/ls for the AA actors on the show. Neil and Ashley don’t make sense and Darius is not Malcolm to me. So she has a point and the s/ls is terrible on Y&R.
Victoria is coming across as a bitter bitch with each new interview she does. Y and R producers will never have her back on the show because of her bitter attitude. I’m really starting to believe the negative rumors about her were true. Victoria has a beautiful daughter, i hope she doesn’t read and notice how bitter and bitchy mommy can come across in interviews. Victoria needs to be a better kinder role model for her daughter. Victoria is a beautiful woman, but her soul seems bitter and needs to release some hostility.
All soaps seem to force interracial relationships at some point and a large part of the trend is to prove that the soap industry has evolved in regards to race relations. But the truth is diversity on television as a whole needs to be improved. More asian, hispanic, indian, and native indian actors/actresses need to be represented more on all soap operas, night time dramas, comedies and reality shows. Most likely the neil/ashley relationship won’t last long because when ashley finds out the truth about faith she will literally go insane.
Seems like sour garpes to me . Why would you want to be a part of show that you constantly criticize? Certainly not a team player. Maybe she should start her own Soap Opera and cast the type of actors she likes.