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Susan Lucci Gives High Marks to ‘Beyond the Gates’ Noting It’s ‘Fabulous’ with ‘Terrific Storylines’

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI and CBS

You can’t get a better endorsement than from the icon herself, Daytime Emmy winner and soap legend, Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane, All My Children). The legendary star who’s new memoir, La Lucci drops this coming Tuesday, February 3, has been appearing on podcasts, and as previously reported, is being featured on the front cover and the lead story for PEOPLE Magazine’s February 9 issue and much more.

While there is only one Erica Kane and will ever be one Erica Kane, many soaps have had their “Erica.” With revived talks about an All My Children reboot in the works from Susan’s former co-stars, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, but this time as two movies for Lifetime, Lucci recalled the death of the beloved soap opera when it was canceled by ABC, but the historic birth of another soap, CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates.

In speaking with TV Insider, Lucci expressed, “I think it was a mistake to let (All My Children) go off the air, to let the genre start to fade on the air because the audience loves the storytelling. The stories are so relatable.” Susan played Erica for 41 years. The soap was canceled by then ABC Daytime President, Brian Fron back in April of 2011 along with One Life to Live. It aired its final ABC episode on September 23, 2011, before being revived online by Prospect Park for a one aborted season on Hulu in 2013.

Photo: CBS

However, Susan feels like now with CBS launching Beyond the Gates almost a year ago in 2025, soaps are having a bit of a comeback! In fact, Lucci shares she often catches episodes of Beyond the Gates and gave it some glowing reviews!

Susan expressed, “I think it’s fabulous,” adding. “I really applaud CBS for making a commitment to a brand-new soap, and it’s Julie Carruthers (as an executive producer) who was our executive producer for a long time. She was a wonderful producer. I really applaud her.”

With her incredibly busy schedule, the soap icon also expressed, “I try to catch episodes (of Beyond the Gates) when I can, and I think it’s terrific storytelling, wonderful characters, and beautifully cast. They are in their second season, and my congratulations to them and also to the audience.”

Lucci also noted, “I know that the audience would be there and are still there for the soaps like General Hospital that were there from the beginning. It’s definitely something that appeals to people; there is just a human need, I think, to hear other people’s stories, and when it’s visual as well, you can have a peek ‘beyond the gates.’ That’s very interesting to people.”

Beyond the Gates just received its first-ever NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, and its first-ever WGA Writers Guild Award Nomination for Writing team in the Daytime Drama category. The series, created by soap opera veteran scribe, Michele Val Jean features the Dupree family at its epicenter with Dani Dupree (played by Karla Mosley) as the character closest to an Erica Kane in the family. The central family also features Passions and OLTL vet Daphnee Duplaix as Dani’s sister, Nicole, and Tamara Tunie and Clifton Davis as Anita and Vernon, the matriarch and patriarch of the series.

So, what do you think of Susan Lucci giving glowing praise to CBS’ Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Wow, for La Lucci to praise BTG, that says something. And she said it best…they do have wonderful storytelling and a beautiful cast. The soap became my newest addiction from day one and I haven’t missed an episode since it aired.

Shes lost her mind it’s ok but it’s nothing spectacular

Okay, Dottie.

Not a Lucci fan, but she did not lie about Beyond the Gates. It is fabulous with terrific storylines.

That’s high praise coming from the soap legend herself.

Well, hell. I’m going to have to find the time to watch.

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?

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Kandi Burress, Tabitha Brown, Karla Mosley

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!

Beyond the Gates

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.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ and Daytime Emmy Nominee Mike Manning to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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While Bradley “Smitty: Smith finds himself currently in a whole heap of trouble on Beyond the Gates, his portrayer Mike Manning is getting set for the upcoming 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards where he finds himself nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

A previous two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Manning will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Wednesday, October 21 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

This year, Beyond the Gates broke records becoming a 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated seres, a first in Daytime Emmy history for a new show entering the competition for the first time. Manning will discuss being part of the groundbreaking soap.

Smitty

Photo: CBS

MIKE MANNING’S UPCOMING PROJECTS

While Manning has his series regular role on Beyond the Gates he is also involved in a myriad of other projects including: his role opposite Nicolas Cage in the film, Madden and the upcoming Anthony Hopkins starring motion picture, Eyes in the Tree, which Manning is featured and also produced.

LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY

Mike first gained nation attention back on MTV’s The Real World D.C., now almost 17 years ago, when he came out on the reality series, which served as an example of early LGBTQ+ representation, leading to thousands of letters from viewers who felt connected to, or felt represented by his journey. Through his advocacy, Manning has served as a youth ambassador for Boo2Bullying and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, anti-bullying, and environmental protection.

Daytime fans first met Manning as uber-bad guy Charlie Dale on Days of our Lives (2020-2o22) and later for his Emmy-winning role as Caleb McKinnon on The Bay.

This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, viewers will see the pick-up after Smitty has been framed for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, after being in possession of incriminating pills linked to her death, that were seemingly planted at his home. 

If you have a question for Mike, but cannot be with us in the live chat, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on the broadcast.

So, how do you think Smitty will get out of the charges against him? Rooting for Mike at the Daytime Emmys? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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Marquita Goings

After her star turn in recent episodes of Beyond the Gates, soap opera’s latest vixen Hayley Lawson Hamilton played by Marquita Goings has grabbed viewers attention just waiting to see what stunt she’ll pull next!

Now, Marquita Goings will visit the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Thursday, October 22 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT and you can join us with your questions!

Previously in story, Hayley has racked up some pretty despicable acts and crimes thus far which have included, trying to poison and kill Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) for his life insurance in order to cash in and hightail it out of Fairmont Crest with the moolah.

Photo: CBS

Then, let’s not forget using the recordings she obtained to blackmail everyone with the the secret that Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) have been trying to keep under wraps about the hate crime years ago, which saw Martin kill one man, while another later died, in an effort to save his grandfather.

NEXT WEEK ON BEYOND THE GATES

Now, the week of October 19-23 previews that it appears that Hayley may be pregnant (take a look at the video preview below) with Bill’s child when she gets a little queasy, after she went to see her partner in crime, Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) to get a fresh ID to skip out of town and away from the DMV.

In fact, on the Tuesday, October 20 episode, official BTG spoilers indicate, Vernon assures Dani (Karla Mosley) that he’s got things handled, while Hayley’s ready for her next act, while on the Friday, October 23 episode, Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) has devastating words for Hayley and Bill’s got another thing coming.

If you have a question for Marquita but cannot join us for the live broadcast, drop it in the comment section and we just might ask it during the chat.

Now let us know, do you think Hayley will be pregnant? How will she continue to evade any prison time? What has been your favorite scene of Marquita Goings on Beyond the Gates thus far? Comment below.

 

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