News
Stacy Haiduk on What Went Wrong at Y&R That Keeps Patty and Emily Off the Canvas!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
There is no doubt that Stacy Haiduk can be handed material so crazy, so absurd, and yet make it so tangible, compelling, dramatic and incredibly powerful and sad. And yet through all the convoluted storylines and plot twists, and the multiple times The Young and the Restless have written her dual role of Stacy and Emily into a corner, Stace and Em seem to keep popping back in to Genoa City, only to once again be thrown to the wolves. So what gives? In the new issue of Nelson Branco’s Soap Opera Uncensored he talks to the talented Haiduk to get the lowdown on what went wrong at Y&R. Here are a few interesting excerpts!
Haiduk on her last big reveal where Patty shot Jack at his and Genevieve’s wedding, in which in turn that cliffhanger caused a ratings spike: “Yes they did! And then, goodbye Stacy! It’s hard as an actor to deal with going back and forth to a show, especially when you really like the people you work with. You start putting up these guards up or shields because you don’t want to get hurt. It’s hard… the first time I was let go, it was devastating Out of the blue Y&R changed my storyline dramatically and drastically. They didn’t go down this path with Emily, who was supposed to become dark. Remember Emily was becoming anxiety-ridden when she thought someone was following her? Well, that story ended rather abruptly. There was a bigger arc to it…”
Haiduk on what her status with Y&R is at this point: “My contract was for six months. To be very blunt and honest, I was scheduled until March to fulfil my six month contract but they didn’t do anything past January. I basically worked for three months. I haven’t been asked back since my contract ran out. They never called to say, ‘Thanks very much, but that’s it.’ Shocking, right? But it’s funny because a lot of fans have been asking me what is up because they didn’t really write me out of the show. I would like to see Patty like she was when she was Mary Jane. “I’d like to see her more romantic. I’d like to see her fall in love with someone — someone who isn’t Jack! There is so much to the character because Patty is not a bad person. She’s very smart. If Adam and Victor Newman could be redeemed, so can Patty.
So what do you think of Haiduk being ushered off the canvas? Would you like to see Emily or Patty return to GC? Let us know your thoughts! In the meantime, Haiduk is working again and has landed a role a new series for A&E called Longmire! She begins shooting next week in Santa Fe, New Mexico!
It is a mess over there and my understanding is they write for two weeks and then wing it and trust me it shows. This show redeemed Kevin, Michael & now Adam all men . Let’s see Maura West they treated like crap and EIleen Davidson twice. Stacy get a nightime gig and move away from this mess.
I do think they did rectify Patty as Mary Jane until she went psycho again. I do think she can be redeemed so I hope they do give her the respect she deserves.
Stacy Haiduk would be a welcome return as Mary Jane, Patty, or Emily. She is so talented.
And poor Paul really needs at least ONE of his family members to get straightened out.
Maybe after someone fires Maria Arena Bell and gets this show back to what it once was, its a TOTAL mess.
She probably wont be re-hired because MAB prob has Tom Wopat and John Schneider waiting to reunite with Daisy Duke.
“She probably wont be re-hired because MAB prob has Tom Wopat and John Schneider waiting to reunite with Daisy Duke.”
Ha! Ha! Let’s hope not.
As much as I adore and admire the actress, the characters and shenangians were so way over the top, I could not take any more. Such larger-than-life characters and plots are fun for awhile but then they really strain credulity — particularly when not carefully thought through or considered for the future — and it all finally becomes annoying and tiresome. (I cite as current example Sheila and her descendants and their unhealthy fixation on Genoa City. Enough!)
I would have loved to see Emily remain on the GC canvas as that rare someone with no past connections by blood or dubious parentage, and work things out with Jack. The two actors had genuine chemistry. But Patty is too far gone for me to embrace or welcome back. Maybe you can bring her home to make amends or perform a selfless act to redeem herself before dying. This would allow some closure to the Williams family and maybe — how’s this?!? — give Y&R an opportuntiy to propel some of its legacy characters into a meaningful (that is, lasting longer than one special episode) social story about the realities of mental illness instead of the cliches employed on Patty.
Good post…I agree.
I love Stacy and would like her back as Emily, but Patty was just too crazy at the end. Stacy should just count herself lucky to be off this mess of a show and persue some primetime gigs.
i agree with rob. young and the restless is a big big mess. i have wrote several times about maria arena bell. please someone fire her. maria arena bell has ruined our soap. please firing eileen davidson. what were you thinking stupid maria arena bell. get fired now or quit. mark my words they will probably recast ashley sooner than later. i hope eileen davidson comes back to days of our lives. at least she will be apprreciated at days of our lives. hiring brett butler for 2 days on young and the restless. so lame and pathetic maria arena bell.
They have too many storylines. I actually liked Patty and wondered what happened to her. The show is a mess and I don’t know why they allow it to continue. I guess because it’s still number 1. I think people watch out of habit rather than it’s must-see.
It makes me sad that we didn’t see much of her in her six month contract; Stacy Haiduk is such a rare and talented actress; not to mention jaw-droppingly beautiful. I always looked forward to her scenes and the way she so deftly went from completely off the rails, to tender and compassionate and back again. PLEASE bring Stacy back to Y&R….. PLEASE!!!! 🙂
I am loving Y&R right now, though, and the upcoming story surrounding Phyllis’s past deeds coming to light has got me on the edge of my seat. Bringing back Emily would just make it that much better!
You know the show is run by idiots when they get a powerhouse of talent like Stacy Haiduk and put her in the most horrendous storylines. The only thing that made any of those storylines tolerable was Stacy herself. Watching her perform was mesmerizing. But other than that. . . it was all horrible. Stacy Haiduk deserves better. And so does the show.
Please Bill Bell, Jr., for the sake of the show and your father’s legacy, FIRE your wife. No matter how much it hurts, it has to be done.
It sucks that the show doesn’t know how to write for her characters (nor any of the other characters!). She is so interesting, such a great actress, such a beauty (look at those eyes!) that they are fools not to write for her.
I think the only thing that will save Y&R is to get rid of MAB. She gets all these talented actors to come on the show then doesn’t know how to write for them. How on earth did she ever get this job? Oh yeah…she married a Bell.
Nepotism much?
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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