News
Stephen Nichols Talks About Playing Jeanne Cooper's On-Screen Son! Watch Sneak Peek From Y&R's Tribute Episode!

Courtesy/CBS
Get out your hankies for this preview clip for Tuesday’s upcoming special edition of The Young and the Restless.
On May 28th the number one soap will air A Tribute to Jeanne Cooper. As fans know, Jeanne passed away on May 8th and so the show will celebrate her life as the actors who worked with her so closely, and Jeanne’s real life children, talk about her in emotional moments throughout the hour long special.
In a sneak peek, The Hollywood Reporter has run a very touching clip of Stephen Nichols (Ex-Tucker), who discusses how he had lost his passion for acting, until he came to Y&R and connected in his first on-screen moment with Jeanne Cooper as his mother, in a pivotal scene between the two of them. Jess Walton, actor Michael Fairman, Bryton James, and Elizabeth Hendrickson are also seated listening to Nichols’ story about the one and only Cooper.
Watch it after the jump! Let us know what you thought of Stephen’s heartfelt account of working with Jeanne. And, do you miss him as Tucker McCall?
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
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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.
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And to think we lost this great actor SN all because of personal vendettas, I truly hope they bring him back for the on air death of JC. We as viewers deserve the petty BS to be put aside for the Duchess!
Personal vendettas? Doug Davidson, Jess Walton, and Melody Thomas Scott have worked on Y&R from 25 -35 years and hardly get any airtime..now that’s an issue.
Stephen Nichol’s Tucker ran for 3 years, exactly like 100s of other actors over Y&R’s 40 years to date so far…NOT an issue. Stephen Nichols is NOT a vet of Y&R. The show owes him nothing. If they need him for the funeral story-so be it, but otherwise there is NO reason what-so-ever for anyone at Y&R to feel obligated.
The total destruction of Katherine & Jill’s past in order to replace Tucker/Devon as her family was the worst chapter in Chancellor history. I’m hoping that Kay’s Will restores her family to what Bill Bell built and developed for her.
Please spare us your diatribes at this time! Really inappropriate to bring up your ‘issues’ with SN in these comments. Let it go and keep it about Jeanne Cooper!
Liza…well said! I wholeheartedly agree with your statement…Jill Foster Abbott needs to be restored to her position and carry on the legacy. My choice is pronto return Trisha Cast as Nina to inherit Kay’s half of the mansion…Jill vs Nina it continues…recast Chance immediately….he & Phillip III are true heirs. Have Jill interact more wAbbotts especially Billy, Jill needs to be up in Billy’s life again knowing the signs of Billy’s gambling addiction. Let Jill be a force again and not a side player. I would love if YR gave us a deep story in the aftermath of Katherine’s death the grieving Jill. How Jill realizes how Katherine was a mentor and teacher as well the furious tormentor and scheming bitch she could be with Jill…all these emotional beats needs to be played for the viewers to grieve Jeannie’s death properly and at the same time enjoy the story unfolding about the death of Katherine Chancellor….but the best way to do this type of story JFP & JG must have Jess on contract and give her the same deal as Steve Burton.
THIS was an important story to be told for lifelong fans. We always wondered what happened to the child she gave up. The dynamic between these two, the gutt wrenching turmoil, her guilt, his anger, both of their saddness over lost time, was MAGNIFICENT! It was lovely to hear his account of spending time with her, and what it meant to him personally. The Devon connection I agree was stupid and unnecessary and nothing Bill Bill would have done (Too convenient the Winters kid is a Chancellor too????) But I am happy they brought him in to speak…and he should be back on the show running Chancellor now! Would LOVE to see it go full circle like that! I am also hoping to see Brock comment during the special, and Phillip….You MUST remember these are the people she shared airtime with, and were essential to telling HER story. Nina should definately be here, as well as Esther, Victor, Nikki, Paul, Michael, Would love to see Rex from the old days at the funeral as a ghost, and Phillip Sr. Oldschool fans are greatly respected by honoring her whole career, all the cast who played opposite her, not just the current cast memebers. It is still the 40th year, so it would be a continuation of the celebration–and we are celebrating this wonderful woman’s life!
Says the one who hates and is obsessed with Mr. Nichols. Stephen is a well respected and liked veteran of the soap genre and Jeanne clearly was quite fond of him as he was of her. Very much apprpriate that he was part of the tribute and the character of Tucker is much needed on the show. Tucker was the best character introduced to YR in years and the pairing with Ashley was amazing until TOTB screwed it up so that ED could transfer to Days.
It’s so embarrassing to see the fuss made over Nichols with respect to Jeannie Cooper’s passing. Whether you loved or hated his time at Y&R (and there were many in both camps), the focus should be on Jeannie Cooper.
The character of Tucker was a fail. SN may be a great actor, & may be well respected, but Tucker wasn’t his best role and I’m not alone in thinking that. SN submitted himself for an Emmy for the last two years for his role as Tucker yet he failed to get a nomination. Although that can happen, I’ve never noticed anyone but his long time fans rave about him in this role.
Look at the Golden Derby website. It handicaps the Emmy’s for fun. But the results are telling. “The experts”, “the editors” and others, ranked him DEAD LAST in the actor category.
Jason Thompson 27/10
Peter Bergman 9/2
Doug Davidson 5/1
John McCook 6/1
Maurice Benard 10/1
Roger Howarth 12/1
Christian LeBlanc 33/1
Michael Muhney 33/1
Don Diamont 50/1
Stephen Nichols 100/1
Not ONE of the expert picked him for nomination:Nelson Branco/Soap Opera Uncensored, Jamey Giddens/Daytime Confidential, Dan Kroll/Soap Central Roger Newcomb/We Love Soaps, and Tom O’Neil & Paul Sheenon/Golden Derby. Not one of the editors or users chose him for nomination either. The SAME happened in 2012.
Again, why are you using this space to trash an actor instead of honoring Jeanne?? Thought you were a fan of hers? But here you go trashing one of her beloved co-stars instead of focusing on her and the lovely sentiments that Mr. Nichols expressed in the clip! Shame on you!
First of all his statement about JC was lovely. Second I was implying if they do have an on screen death for her they need to bring him back for it also Brock & Mac. The EP at Y&R does not care for him I know that I just was saying for the sake of the show bring them back for closure. Do this one last thing for Jeanne Cooper.
Liza, honey, please try and show some respect. This isn’t about nominations or predictions, personal vendettas, nor is it about Jill’s future on the show. This is about a great actress who will no longer grace out screens, yet leaves behind a wonderful legacy with the people she worked with. Why must you take away from that? This is not the time or the forum for such ludicrous rants. Save it for another time and another place, and for now, please show Ms. Cooper the respect she deserves. Stephen Nichols did an excellent job in honoring her. Please extend the same courtesy and not derail this tribute. Ms. Cooper and her fans deserve no less.
GH & Days must have the same vendetta since both have stories running & love interests thathave to do with his former character. His YR bunch is gone. Harmony, Ashley, Abby, Gen, Kay. Devon is never on. No reason for Tucker to be around anymore.
Agreed… he had his time, and it came and went. It’s ugly to use this opportunity to bash him, and ugly to use it to promote him.
Delia, I agree, but the question was posed by Mr. Fairman as to whether readers missed Tucker. There’s a line in answering that question that some have crossed though. I agree wholeheartedly that the focus should be to the greatest extent on Jeanne Cooper!
I watched the tribute yesterday and was moved to tears at the end. I loved hearing about this supportive, funny, talented, unstoppable woman! What a joy and privilege it must’ve been to know her and work with her! I still can’t believe she’s gone. 🙁
That is so touching. Just beautiful.
i truly felt every word he said in my inner being – yes i miss stephen nichols so much – i don’t care what soap he ends up on as long as he lands somewhere………….
I love hearing the sweet things all the actors remember about Jeanne. I can’t wait to see the tribute. But NO, I don’t miss him as Tucker McCall.
I much preferred William Russ and was very sorry to see him go. He had better chemistry with JC and romantic chemistry with Jess Walton. I was a big mistake to re-cast.
Ya know what? That’s not what this interview is about.
Agreed! (However, I do think he was the best Tucker, and their relationship was touching.)
Did you read the whole article? Michael Fairman asks ” And, do you miss him as Tucker McCall? ” He is asking for reader response on the matter and I am answering HIS question on HIS website.
This is about a wonderful woman who is missed by those who loved,knew, and her fans.
Let’s remember that.
Rest in peace .
It saddens me that a supposed fan of Jeanne Cooper’s is using her tribute to promote her agenda! Really inappropriate. Disgusting actually.
The discussion IS appropriate because the the author of this piece is asking his readers if we miss SN/Tucker on Y&R (on his own website.)
However he did NOT ask if we thought Y&R screwed over Stephen Nichols. I don’t know where this notion comes from. Didn’t he finish his full 3 year contract? Many actors don’t get that luxury and are cut before it’s up. It saddens me that fans of Stephen Nichols would use Jeanne Cooper death as an opportunity to get him back on the show.
You know what I’m not going to further this discussion!
Jeanne, you are dearly missed by your loyal fans! I have the deepest respect for you and all who participated in the tribute honoring you for the exceptional woman and actress you were! Your legacy will live on in our hearts!
I hope this comments sections flourishes with more positivity and actual dialogue about Jeanne!
Just so classless and inappropriate at a time like this. Please at least show some respect for Ms Cooper. She was beloved by many and deserves all the accolades.
Let it go. Her sons, Brock and Tucker should be there for the funeral, along with the characters that were closely connected to her. I think it should be Nichols who returns instead of William Russ, another good actor, because he worked closely with Ms. Cooper, to build the mother and son relationship.
The passing of one heck of an actress as well as a mighty “fine” human being, Mother, and thespian to “all” she touched, what a legacy. Our ‘Queen’, the most remarkable Ms. Jeanne, will be and IS so terribly ‘missed’, but we will forever remember and pay homage to “her”, I “hope”, everyone will join “in”, and make whatever donation “you can”, to Red Cross, in her “name”, for all those who are “so suffering”,[in and around Oklahoma,]- we can carry “on” her “love and kindness” SHE had in this thing we call-…life. We honor “her”, via doing “something” w/ that “love”, for “Another”. God Bless and keep “you”, Ms. Jeanne, you will NEVER be forgotten!
I love Stephen Nichols. He needs to be back on daytime as Patch or Stephan!
Nichols is one of the most dynamic actors in soap history, and his scenes with Jeanne Cooper were electric. I will always love Steve and Kayla, but he had great chemistry with Eileen Davidson. So what did Y&R do? Put Tucker in a coma, fire ED and destroy Tucker and Ashley, and finally fire him and have the character limp out of town. C’est triste.
Wow… that was so heartfelt and… words are escaping me… endearing and very appreciative and powerful. I only wish Jeanne could hear all the beautiful and fun things her castmates are saying and felt about working with her and being friends with her… I will hope she is aware and was watching over the taping of those shows!!! What a wonderful lady and actress… one show doesn’t seem to be enough!
Very well said Stephen!!!
Well at least the ptb at Y&R had the decency to include SN in the tribute show for Jeanne. And SN is all class for accepting despite having been given the shaft from that show.
What lovely words from Stephen Nichols – another testament to the wonderful talent of Ms. Jeanne Cooper.
You will be forever missed Grand Lady.
Lovely words describing the connection these two wonderful performers had from the beginning. Their natural dynamic showed on screen in each and every scene they shared. The characters they portrayed had a difficult, layered relationship which Stephen and Jeanne played beautifully. No matter the harshness of the words in the script, they played the undertones of love being held back for a myriad of reasons so well. I’m glad Stephen’s passion for acting was reignited by working with Jeanne Cooper. Very high and well deserved praise!! We miss you Jeanne!!!
I hope to see Stephen come back as Tucker at least for the funeral of his mother, Katherine. It’s only fitting.
Beautifully stated Kat.
Thanks Jillanne! I can’t wait to see the whole tribute. Though it will be very sad, I love that those that worked with her will be sharing their memories of her.
Such heartfelt words by such an extraordinary actor. It’s obvious he and Ms. Cooper shared more than just scenes. I am grateful as a viewer that I was treated to two incredible talents. I do hope he will return to Y&R, but wherever he lands, I will watch. I only wish we had more time with Jeanne Cooper. She is an icon that won’t be forgotten. Beautiful!
Yes, indeed their time together ended too soon!
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to watch Jeanne and Stephen act together as mother and son. Every scene was honest and genuine. Not a single one of their scenes together was phoned in. They had obvious chemistry as mother/son, and reading their comments about each other thru the years, they had an obvious respect for each other personally and professionally. Stephen’s words about this wonderful woman really touched a chord in me. I may not be happy with TPTB right now, but I respect and appreciate them for having Stephen in to celebrate Jeanne’s life with the cast and her family. I will always be a Steve and Kayla fan and wish so much that they get more and proper attention on Days of our Lives, but watching Kay and Tucker, that was a story that was worth watching, too, and I really wish he’d come to that show alot sooner as her son and given us alot more of their dynamic.
Having them work together longer would’ve been wonderful!
Very touching words from a wonderful man. I only hope that Jeanne sees this, and all the wonderful things her costars and friends have said about how positively she affected their lives. I can’t wait to see the entire tribute.
Very touching clip! Such high praise bestowed upon Jeanne! Bravo Stephen Nichols! I bet she was every bit the inspiration. It showed in all their scenes together. I will miss Jeanne on Y&R. There will be a huge void that will never be filled! I’m glad, however that Stephen and Jeanne got the opportunity to work together. Looks like they enjoyed and respected each other immensely!
Hope to see Tucker as well as others return for Katherine’s funeral service.
Very touching. Thanks for the hankie warning, Michael; it was definitely needed. I will miss Jeanne Copper/Kay so much. Y&R will not be the same without her.
I would absolutely love to see Stephen Nichols/Tucker return. With so much left unresolved between Tucker and Kay, the material practically writes itself; and I can only imagine what SN could do with it!
That was very heartfelt. I can’t stop crying. Our grand dame, Duchess will be sorely missed. Thanks for sharing such moving comments. I feel like I have lost a member of my own family. Her class, style and strength always touched me, even as a child. I can vividly remember the face lift story line being real and not really understanding as a child what that meant, but I do remember everyone in my family saying how innovative that was. She was a trailblazer and her immense presence will be always missed. I pray that we have a memorial for her every year so to continue her awesome legacy to those who didn’t have the blessing to have seen her in action. I know the great beyond is even greater now. RIP Mrs. C.
Stephen Nichols is one of the best actors. He is very much missed. I have lost
my interest in Y & R since he left. Please bring him back.