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?”
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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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.