News
Soap Opera Digest Names One Life to Live Best Show of 2011!

Courtesy/ABC
In the brand new issue of Soap Opera Digest which includes their highly anticipated Best & Worst in Soaps in 2011, the publication had named the canceled, One Life to Live as the Best Show of 2011! And, if you pick up a copy of the issue at newsstand now you will see that OLTL picked up many “Bests” including Best Story of the year for Tale of the Two Todds! And, Best Social Issue for the Teen Bullying story. OLTL also picked up a nod for Best Special Episode for the hilarious and very memorable Vicker Man Premiere!
The Young and the Restless was picked as the Most Disappointing Show of 2011, while another canceled soap, All My Children was picked as the Most Improved Show of 2011. The Worst Story of the Year honors went to Chloe’s A Prostitute on Days of our Lives.
From Best and Worst Wedding, Best and Worst Recast, Best and Worst Villain, Best and Worst Location, Best and Worst Triangle, there is lots to discuss as the magazine expounds on their choices! Make sure to grab a copy.
All we can say, is kudos to SOD for getting it right giving the Best Show of 2011 to One Life. This is the year that it will most certainly be the critics darling.
News
Shemar Moore Makes Another Return to ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Malcolm Winters
When Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters) made his most recent on-screen return to his old stomping grounds at The Young and the Restless back at the beginning of April. Viewers also know that it has been teased that he was not done taping his most recent return story arc, and that he would be back to wrap it up.
Circle next week on the Monday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 9 episodes of the top-rated CBS soap opera, when Malcolm Winters, who has survived his bone barrow transplant surgery after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, is back for some important conversations.
This time out, he will reconnect once again with his daughter Lily (Christel Khalil) and is recently discovered biological son, Holden (Nathan Owens). In addition, according to Parade, he will interface with his son’s New York City “travel companion” in Claire Newman (Hayley Erin).

Photo: CBS
THE LEGACY OF MALCOLM WINTERS
Part of the bigger story is Malcolm’s relationship with his ex Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox), who happens to be the mother of his child, Holden. Viewers can look for some unfinished business that the two need to settle in the upcoming episodes. Both Moore and Vivica A.Fox first appeared together on Y&R back in 1994 and then some 30 years later just a few months ago.
Shemar Moore made his debut as the younger brother of the late Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John) back in 1994 and stayed with the soap until 2005. A Daytime Emmy win later, and with his first television experience under his belt, Moore went on to major primetime success on CBS’ Criminal Minds. Next, he helped launch and was the centerpiece for S.W.A.T. also on CBS, until it was canceled. Now, he will soon be seen in the new spin-off series, S.W.A.T. exiles.
During a recent conversation for Michael Fairman TV, Christel Khalil shared of working with her TV dad again: “It’s always amazing to have anyone come back that’s been away for a while, but especially, Shemar. It’s all the history with him being Lily’s dad. For me, it’s been 20 years of knowing him. Obviously, I don’t get to talk to him or hang out with him and that kind of thing. So it was just nice just to see him again and have that moment around Neil’s portrait, and to be able to share that together and even talk about that off-camera. It’s just special and feels like family, which is nice.”
So, looking forward to seeing Shemar Moore for a few more episodes as he wraps up Malcolm’s recent story arc and visits with his newly found son, Holden and his ex Stephanie? Do you hope for more emotional scenes that were not played out the first time he was back looking for a bone marrow donor to save his life? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
News
How ‘The Young and the Restless’ Mark Grossman Almost Became ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Thomas Forrester
As initially reported by Michael Fairman TV, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation recently held a live daytime drama casting directors panel which featured: Greg Salmon (The Young and the Restless), Marnie Saitta (Days of Our Lives), Christy Dooley (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Kim Coleman (Beyond the Gates).
The four soap opera casting directors traded behind the scenes stories, their process to help actor’s in the audition process, the most difficult and important recasts to their respective shows during their tenure, and the challenges of casting under-five roles, which surprisingly can harder than finding the series regulars.
When the talked turned to a major recast that Greg Salmon had to find it was to fill the shoes of Justin Hartley who exited the CBS soap to star on the NBC drama, This Is Us. The role of the black sheep of the Newman clan was previously played by Chris Engen and Michael Muhney, before Hartley. Salmon knew they found their man to be the fourth Adam when Mark Grossman entered the picture.

Photo:JPI
THE SEARCH FOR ADAM NEWMAN
Salmon explained, “That was a really tough role to recast. Before Justin, there were two other people who played the part. Adam Newman is central to the show. This is Victor Newman’s son, so it’s an incredibly important character. I remember Mark came in and read with Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and a few other members of the Newman family. His energy was just off the charts. It felt like this is how Adam should be. Eventually, I think the audience really accepted him. Mark has playing the role for several (7) years now and he’s completely made the role his own.”
However, in an ironic twist, it appears that Grossman came very close to joining Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful in the part of Thomas Forrester played most recently by Matthew Atkinson, and before that Adam Gregory and Drew Tyler Bell.
THE SEARCH FOR THOMAS FORRESTER
Responding to Salmon, The Bold and the Beautiful ‘s casting director Christy Dooley revealed that Mark Grossman was once in the running for the role of Ridge and Taylor’s son. “He tested for us,” she recalled. “Mark came in and read for the role of Thomas Forrester, and he was my choice for the role,” Dooley shared.
Dooley added, “The role wound up going to Matthew Atkinson. But then Mark came down (the hall) to read for The Young and the Restless.”
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that during his 7-years as Adam Newman, that Mark Grossman has become one of the most popular stars on the show. So it’s difficult to wrap you head around that B&B might have nabbed his first as Thomas, and if so, we wouldn’t have gotten to see him turn out those stellar performances in Genoa City .
So, what did you think of this casting tidbit? Could you have seen Mark Grossman as Thomas Forrester? Glad that Y&R had him firmly as their Adam Newman? Let us know via the comment section and you can check the full daytime drama casting director panel below.
General Hospital
Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’
The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).
In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.
Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC
A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:
PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY
After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.
An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?
In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.
So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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only agree if victors not dead!
Victor was the best! I can’t stand scarface Todd!
I should get that, I always loved SOD’s best and worst of magazines. And OLTL deserves Best Soap, along with Y&R as Worst Soap. They got those right!
I wonder who had worst wedding.
I totally agree—–OLTL is the BEST soap on TV!!!! ABC is STUPID for cancelling it!!!! They have lost so many viewers !!!! If they don’t want our soaps, SELL THEM!!!
Wouldn’t it be something, if OLTL wins the Emmy for Best Show after itso cancelled.
I hope this happens,so we can laugh right in the faces of ABC
It’s such a shame that they canceled the best soap on tv! I’ve always considered it the best soap and have been a loyal viewer since day one. Why did they have to break our hearts all over again by promising us a re-boot future and then pulling the plug?
and so the best soap is being replaced with a horrid makoever show with the equally horrid Tim Gunn…makes sense huh?
Gonna go out and get this issue. OLTL deserves every best that they got!!! What an amazing year for OLTL!!! Too bad ABC doesn’t realize the jewel that they are throwing away.
Agreed. Let’s all make this the biggest selling issue ever. Perhaps if all the fans purchase a copy, Soap Opera Degist can hand Brian Frons and ABC those numbers too !
sorry, please correct my typo in “degist” to “digest”
thanks
I’m going to buy it also! It’s been years since i’ve bought a SOD also!
OLTL was voted Best Story: Tale of Two Todds, Most Shocking Plot Twist: Gigi/Stacy, Best Triangle: Viki-Charlie & Echo, Best Returns: OLTL Vets, Best Exit: Dorian Lord, Best Social Issue: Bullying, Best Special Episode: Vickerman Premiere, and Best Show….In the worst category OLTL received the following….Worst Secret: Who Killed Eddie Ford, Worst Exit: Marty, & Worst Trend: Dual Roles
The next one was received, but had nothing to do with what OLTL did…it was
Worst News: The Cancellations of AMC & OLTL (Which made Brian Frons the soap fans’ biggest villain – a title that he earned),
I’m thrilled for One Life to Live and I’m hoping that some bright and creative entrepreneur will find a way to save this show. With 2.6 million viewers and cast and crew willing to do whatever it takes to keep the show alive, why can’t someone make this work?!
After the week of Thanksgiving, OLTL is at 2.8. They have over 400,000 viewers from last year. I wish someone would pick it up too.
Not gonna happen. It’s over folks. Move on and devote your energy to save the four soaps left so that they don’t suffer the same fate.
@Heather
The other four soaps are not worth saving. OLTL is the only that should be saved.
i know victor is not dead OLTL & AMC is the best shows on tv and the best dramss they have ABC have a nerve to cancel the best soaps on air what are they tnking
I hope OLTL submits the Todd reveal or the Todd/Blair cabin scenes for Emmy consideration. Hands down, the best episodes of the year.
Hey.. and before we lose our show.. let not forgot how even Janet Jackson gave credit to the show in one of her first hits “What Have You Done For Me Lately” from 1986…
“You ought to be thankful for the little things,
but little things are all you seem to give
You’re always putting off what we can do today
Soap opera says, you’ve got “One Life To Live”
Who’s right, who’s wrong?
What have you done for me lately?”
Maybe we need a OLTL trivia page… so we all can remember and discover how much this show touch everywhere.
Yeah I always thought that was cool that she put that in her song! And let’s not forget Sarah Michelle Geller is a big fan of OLTL instead of AMC while it was still on, that says a lot.
WOW!
You are so right this is the worst story lines I have ever see
I love Roger Howarth, the original, the one and only!!! Victor is alive and I am happy for Tea!! And Danni.
Now I want the Special farewell Issue of the magazine. One Life To Live Tribute!! WHERE, wHERE do I find It?? Thank you for your help!! Long live Vicki!! And the memory of her father, Walter Slezak!! He would be so pleased for and of his beautiful daughter!! Thank you, Vicki, for your life on OLTL!! Love it!!! And you!! Thank you, cast, for the memories. Max…take good care of him, Blair!!