News
Soap Stars Share Reaction And Devastation Over The Death Of Pop Icon George Michael

Photo: Reuters
Christmas Day 2016 will be remembered for yet another huge loss in pop culture and the music industry, in a year that has seen so many beloved public figures lives cut too short.
Late Sunday afternoon, the world learned of the death of pop icon, George Michael at the age of 53. The British singer, songwriter, musician, died of what at this point is said to be “heart failure”.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” read a statement sent to USA TODAY by Michael’s London-based publicist, Connie Filippello.
The statement went on to say: “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.” Michael died in Goring, England. His U.S. publicist, Cindi Berger told the Associated Press he had not been ill. The singer was a fierce champion of LGBT rights and came out in a now famous interview in 1998 on CNN.
The Grammy-winning star sold more than 100 million albums globally. George leaves behind an incredible body of work from his start with Wham to his solo career from: Father Figure to Freedom, to Careless Whisper to Everything She Wants, to Last Christmas to Faith, to Fast Love to One More Try, to Praying For Time and the incredible body of work in the albums: Listen to without Prejudice Pt 1, Older, and Faith, and those are just a small sampling of the songs and works of this artist’s legacy.
Several soap stars, upon learning of the death of George Michael, shared their shock and love for the artist via social media. Below are just a few examples:
Y&R’s Daniel Goddard: “George Michael has passed! Can all the horrible news from 2016 please just stop! #RIPGeorgeMichael #Legend” Then on an Instagram posted, Goddard shared: “Grew up with his music. Loved his lyrics. Was in awe of his voice. What a colossal loss. #RiPgeorgemichael”
DAYS Eric Martsolf: “Ahh dammit”.
Ex-GL, AMC and B&B star Ricky Paull Goldin: “Sad to hear about George Michael’s death. I actually wore out my FAITH album back in the day. He was a Big part of my youth. #RIPGeorge”
GH’s Rebecca Budig: “So sad. A part of my youth…RIP”
Other soap stars such as GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright shared their grief over the loss by simply and effectively posting photos of Michael on Instagram. For Hughes, their was another connnection to George’s career. Her husbandm Russell Young, was the photographer of Michael’s Grammy-winning album cover and massive mainstream hit, Faith.
Let us know your reaction to the passing of George Michael, and your favorite song of his in the comment section below.
News
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now

The one and only Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) dropped in to see her former co-stars on The Bold and the Beautiful at their Sunset Las Palmas Studio in Hollywood, along with her good friend and another B&B co-star Ian Buchanan (ex-James Warwick) on Tuesday October 20.
It was the first time in a very long time that The four-time Daytime Emmy winning actress was reunited with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, Jennifer Gareis and even her TV sister, Alley Mills (Pam, B&B now Heather, GH) showed up for the day too!
Flannery played the Forrester matriarch from 1987 until 2012. It was then that after playing the part of Stephanie for 25 years that Susan made the decision to retire from acting and in one of the most heartbreaking sendoffs, passes away from lung cancer in Brooke’s arms in November of 2012. During her B&B tenure, Flannery won 3 of her 4 Daytime Emmys, the other being for her first soap role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives back in 1975.

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
As for Ian Buchanan, he played Dr. Warwick, psychiatrist, from 1993 to 1999. He returned for other runs in 2014 and 2017. Buchanan took home his Daytime Emmy in 1997 for his work as James. Soap fans also remember, Ian as mobster Duke Lavery on General Hospital, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children,
Both Susan and Ian shared their thoughts on coming back to The Bold and the Beautiful, for Susan 14 years later since he exited and for Ian close to 9 years since his last appearance below.
Susan said, “It’s definitely like coming home in a way, even though it’s not the same studio. It’s really lovely to see old faces and old faces with new faces. It takes you back mentally. You start remembering what it was like back then, even things like how much your feet would ache at the end of the day from wearing six-inch heels. It was just lovely to be back and see everybody.”

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
Ian expressed, “It’s a mind trip, you know. When I was sitting looking at the big Forrester set, it was like stepping back in time, almost. It takes you back mentally, and you start remembering what it was like when you were here before.”
“It’s lovely to see all these people again, even if you don’t know everybody,” explained soap vet Buchanan. “There’s something really special about coming back and seeing the show and the people who have been part of it for so long.”
So, happy to see Susan and Ian with some of their former castmates? Do you think Stephanie and Brooke is one of the greatest frenemy stories in daytime history? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.
In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.
Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

PhotoL JPI
THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA
Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”
However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”
Beyond the Gates is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey.
Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.
So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
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I first seen Wham on MTV-when MTV was all about music and was great-that channel sure went downhill…so many celebs passing away…On Dec.19th Dick Latessa passed away-he played Noel Douglas No.2 on Edge Of Night in the mid 1970s and was involved with the Whytney Family!!!
Too many songs to ban as my favorites. If I have to choose one, it would be “Cowboys and Angels”. I attended every one of his concerts in the tri-state area, the last being in 2008 when after surgery and in pain I attended his 25th Anniversary concert in what turned out to be the best concert ever! He was my favorite singer/performer and he will be missed. May he rest peacefully.
Sorry, that should read “name”, not “ban”.
George Michael was more than a pop icon. He had the voice, talent and skill to prove it on stage. So many people identify George as a “part of their youth” or a member of Wham but this man was a songwriter, could sing anything and was probably one of the most underrated talents that came from the 80’s pop world. George Michael was just fantastic. He will be sorely missed. RIP sweet man.
Beautiful so true
I agree with you Mateo. I loved him since I first saw him in Wham. The beginning of the ” boy bands “. I played his Faith album so many times, I still remember the order of the songs, and I can probably sing every one of them in my sleep. If you haven’t already, look up the song Somebody to Love by Queen on YouTube. George is singing lead with the original Queen band backing him, and not surprisingly he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Excellent performance in my opinion. Another wonderful talent gone way to soon. Take care and thanks for listening.
Beautifully said, Mateo and you too, Soapie. George Michael is possibly the only one who could do that song justice as no one could hit the notes the way Frerddy Mercury could.
I saw George in an interview and he said that while rehearsing this song that he had to start over and over because he kept breaking down in tears while singing the first line,”Each morning I get up and die a little.”
We know how you feel, George.
I just watched George Michael, 20/20
“Wham” : definition;
used to express the sound of a forcible impact.
“the bombs landed—wham!—right on target”
“solo acts” branch out to own… first thing that came to mind
from 20 he was a superstar
@26 he’s done with it
after his first solo album… “Faith” to his last… videos featuring female persuasion
he quit with honor… dang it took me this long… he quit and steadfasted for us
to the last.. “don’t let the sun… go down on me”
what a salute
I like this guy so much
@Addison
upon hearing… I went to Youtbe
knowing in my mindset, i’d recognize as soon as I saw it… “kissing a fool”
OMG
classic sophisticate
sophisticated baby
upon real
THANK YOU
i just don’t have any works right now – i am devastated right now……….
*words
Complete shock and disbelief when I saw that on the news feed last night.
Great voice ,great talent ….too young 🙁
Please say hello to Michael and Whitney for us, George. RIP
That was another shocker of a famous death this year. I really liked George Michael and Wham growing up. I had many of his albums and singles, in fact I just recently got spotify to have a large amount of music to listen to at work and I added a lot of George Michael and Wham to it the other day. RIP George.
Loved his music
Too much loss, what a miserable year. Especially for those of us who grew up in the 80’s, it feels like 2016 has been an all out assault on our youth. George Michael was a beautiful artist… I’ll never hear ”Last Christmas” the same way again. 🙁
I feel like I have been double sucker punched. I never expected the eternally boyish George Michael to die so young and I never expected it to hit me so hard.
He won my respect with “Kissing a Fool” which played on the television (which was always tunned onto MTV while I hit the books) in my studio apartment in SF back when I was a young undergraduate. I was not a fan of Wham at all so when I heard the throaty alto of the bass strum in conjunction with George Michael’s pitch perfect voice ,coupled with the visual of him filmed in black and white with a jazz quartet, I was like–who IS that?
That’s when he won me over and trust me, I am a really tough music critic.
“You are far, when I could have been your star.”
How can this be? And thank you for posting this, Mr Fairman.
Check the liner notes of your ‘Faith’ album. Finola posted the cover of the ‘Faith’ album, because her husband, photographer Russell Young, shot the cover for it. It wasn’t merely just her posting a pic of him in tribute, shock or love. It meant more than that. She was asked about her husband’s connection to him on twitter and, she typed, ‘Gutted,’ with the same cover.
I love all of George’s music, but what I found myself listening to after hearing the news was his duets: ‘As’ with Mary J Blige, ‘Learn to Say No’ with Jody Watley, ‘I Knew You Were Waiting for Me’ with Aretha Franklin, ‘How do You Keep the Music Playing’ with Tony Bennett, ‘Heal the Pain’ with Paul McCartney, ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ with Elton John, ‘Wrap Her Up’ with Elton John, and ‘This is Not Real Love’ with Mutya.
And British soap star, Martin Kemp, from EastEnders (and rock star bassist with Spandau Ballet) was good friends with George because he introduced him to his future wife, Shirlie, who was George’s backup singer in Wham!
‘I was completely obsessed with Shirlie. I’d seen her on Top of the Pops doing, I think it was Wham! Rap, wearing this white dress with a big slit up the side and I was in love with her,’ Martin remembered.
I was in shock and disbelief when my mother told me.
I loved Wham! and George. I am so glad I saw him in concert when he came to the U.S. a few years ago.
George was a very talented songwriter. His lyrics amazed me with his creativity.
Very sad, but his music will live on. RIP
Me too! I was expecting it’d be the last time he toured the US because he comes here so infrequently so was glad I nabbed a seat although I never thought he wouldn’t come back due to an early death. He truly is one of the top 5 standout artists that began their careers in the 80s for me and I will miss the occasional news, videos. and singles overseas from him
I cannot believe that George Michael has passed away. Beyond sad. Rest In Peace, George.
Amen.
I had always wished George would do a follow-up to “Faith” or him and Andrew would reunite and tour. So sad.
“part of my youth”
George’s music is still a part of my life. Yes, I listened to him in my youth, but still do today and it is still FANTASTIC!
Agreed! And I caught that reference to the first Wham! album.
🙂
He had an amazingly good voice, loved his ballad singing, we lost some one really special.
One of my friends told me that her sons and nieces and nephews (who are all adults) don’t know who George Michael is. I find that to be really sad. Just because you’re not alive when maybe a musician is in their heyday doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be aware of them or introduced to them. Granted, I guess pop/R&B isn’t their type of music.
Looking forward to the documentary on his life that he finished up before his death and the reissue of Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. It’s almost as if both he and Bowie knew they were going to die and had forthcoming projects as a gift to us post-life on Earth.
Master male vocalist, superb songwriter, pop idol, sex symbol….
George Michael showcased such a full spectrum of maleness. One might say he would be treated with similar regard and respect as
The King Of Pop and Prince
Had he suffered through his angsty uneasy feelings about fame and celebrity and calculations of image instead of removing himself too early from
His Popstar aspirations. I Love him so much and im very grateful to the universe for his presence un rgis world . Just like a muse too me