News
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Brad Bell on the ‘New Momentum’ of Soap Operas After Years of Cancellations (Exclusive Clip)

Next year, The Bold and the Beautiful will celebrate its 40th anniversary on CBS. At the helm of the series is Brad Bell who wears both hats as executive producer and head writer of through his family company, Bell-Phillip Television Productions, named after his legendary parents, Bill Bell and Lee Phillip Bell (co-creators of B&B and Y&R).
Now in a special one-year anniversary podcast episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart dropping tomorrow on Tuesday, July 7, Bell is the featured guest where the topics ranged from learning his craft from his father, Bill Bell, to the state of soap operas today.
When asked about having his own TV production company and having a soap opera on the air for almost four decades when in 2009, the soaps started to be cancelled in succession: Guiding Light, As the World Turns, All My Children and One Life to Live, Bell offered this perspective in this exclusive clip provided to Michael Fairman TV ahead of the full conversation.

Photo: JPI
MAKING THE BEST EPISODES OF THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Brad expressed, “I’m very proud of that (having his own production company). There were times when the soaps we all know from the nineties were (later) dropping out and there were 14 and then 12. Everyone was saying, ‘What were you going to do next?’ And I thought I should make a plan. But, I made the plan that I’m going to stay focused and try to make every episode of The Bold and the Beautiful the best it can be, and maybe the sun will shine again. Then, I’m thinking probably not.”
However in 2026, Bell feels that with streaming as a useful platform for fans to catch up on episodes, Beyond the Gates being the first new network soap opera launched in 25 years, and how soaps have been in the mainstream of late (think John Oliver and Ryan Gosling), the EP and head scribe believes soaps are on an upswing.
“I do feel that we’re in a period now of new momentum,” shared Bell. “I think streaming, which was certain death has now become a friend and an asset. So, there is a lot of interest in what we’re doing.”

Photo: JPI
MICRODRAMAS AND HOLLYWOOD STARLET
Brad is also moving into the burgeoning world of vertical dramas with his new microdrama Hollywood Starlet, under his Red Flair Entertainment banner for aTwist (formerly MicroCo;, the U.S.-based microseries studio and platform that is set to launch in August.
As previously reported, the upcoming microdrama was created Bell; directed and written by Kristen Brancaccio; and executive produced by Anthony Ferrari, Oliver Bell, Paxton Fuller and Graham Lawyer. Bradley Bell and his son Oliver Bell founded Red Flair Entertainment to specifically focus on elevated vertical series.
You can check out this exclusive preview clip of Brad Bell talking about how soap operas are on an upswing below.
Now let us know, do you agree with Brad? Are soap operas seemingly on the upswing, generating more interest and buzz? Or, do you think they can never recover from the heartbreaking cancellations in the late 2000s and and on? Let us know via the comment section.
B&B Streaming App has me HOOKED. For only $5 a month. Every season. Every episode. Over 9000 episodes. Fan favorite episodes. Tribute episodes and special deleted scenes. I loved DOOL and BTG for years now but ever since I began streaming BB on their app that they have offered I can’t seem to break free and catch up on the other soaps. The other soaps seem so boring and move at a snails pace. Now my husband and I are watching it together and we’re really enjoying spending time together.
I CAN ONLY WISH FOR BELL TO OFFER THE SAME OPTION FOR “The Young and the Restless “. If that happens I have my next 3 years of TV all ready planned. Lol
Francesca. Knock it off. You can find all the episodes of B&B everywhere now. 5.00 per month?? Girl.
I agree with Brad ithink soaps are on an up spring Ilove all the soaps I believe as a soap writer you have to be true to the characters that you are writing for Ilove writing my self and I wrote several of my own soaps my dream is to be a writer of some of the soaps onair today.
I enjoy your two soaps Y&R and B&B I started watching both of them with my mom but don’t you think B&B could be on for one hour like every other soaps are? Both of your shows are action packed never boring at all and the actors and actresses are sunburned! Keep up the good work you have given us!
Why is it that bold and beautiful are only on for an half hour,? When the young and restless and beyond the gates are on for hour.
I really enjoy it.
The half hour format makes it easier to sell in international markets.
Beyond the Gates shouldn’t be on at all. It’s absolutely ridiculous. Showing people of color to be as filthy rich as the people on this show is utterly outrageous!!!
They should be on just like any other soap opera is it because you are not black black people got money too stop being a hater prejudice you are outrageous leaving saying such a thing
Love Dylan and Will !!! Electra is a narcissist! She and RJ are perfect for each other !!!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are now just a little over a month and a half away, and General Hospital’s Braedyn Bruner picked up her first nomination for her performances as Emma Drake.
Braedyn received a nod in the Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category along with: Al Calderon (ex-Javi, DAYS) Alice Halsey (ex-Rachel, DAYS) Giovanni Mazza (Gio, GH) Ambyr Michelle (Eva, BTG) and Arielle Prepetit (Naomi, BTG). The winner will be announced in a ceremony held on October 30 in Hollywood, California.
Now, for the first time, Bruner spoke about what she chose to put on her nominated reel that landed her a chance to go for gold. The 25-year-old actress discussed it when she appeared on an all-new episode of the That’s Awesome with Steve Burton (Jason, GH) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH), that dropped this Sunday, September 6.
In speaking of her nominated work, Bruner shared how she went about approaching submitting her reel, which was a conglomeration of scenes from the eligibility year and her first on GH. “The first two scenes on my reel are with Anna (Finola Hughes). The first one is in her office after she arrests Emma at the Quartermaine crypt,” explained Braedyn to her GH co-stars. “I felt like, for me as an actor, that was the first time I understood this character really well. I felt like I had become her in some sort of way, and the things that she stands for and she is willing to fight for.”

Photo: ABC
Bruner continued, “I also love doing scenes with Finola Hughes. The second scene is with Anna also, sort of a similar setting, but a different time of the year, but it was a scene about what Emma stands for, and how much she wants to be like her grandmother, and how influential and important she is to her. I also had included scenes with Gio as well from the post-Nurses’ Ball fallout. We had a lot of wonderful things that I got to choose from.”
Reflecting on now being on the legendary ABC soap opera for a year and a half, Braedyn told Steve and Bradford, “It’s so crazy looking back on where I started, to where I am now, and I think, I’m so grateful for this job. All I ever wanted to do is to tell stories, and even just saying that I have an Emmy nomination is crazy, because that just feels like a great bonus and such an honor. So, that’s really, really cool.”
Since coming to GH, Braedyn said she felt support all along the way behind the scenes. “I love the relationships that I formed on this show,” she shared. “I always tell people that when they ask me what is it like working on General Hospital, I just always say that I’ve truly never been on a set where every person that you encounter is a joy to be around, helpful and kind and supportive. and wants you to succeed.”

Photo: ABC
As for what’s ahead for Emma, viewers know that music executive Simon (Grady Eldridge) has been asking Emma’s boyfriend Gio and her friend and his musical partner, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) to play up a “relationship” when they are on stage performing to help sell them as a recording and performing duo, which may cause problems for Emma in the very near future.
“I love that she’s (Emma) getting her edge back,” confirmed Bruner. “I feel like there had been a period where I was just being really cordial and kind. And that’s fun, but I missed the kind of attitude that she had when she came on the show as this animal rights activist and fighting for justice. I missed that. So, I’ve been really enjoying what we are shooting now. ”
You can check out Braedyn’s guest appearance on the That’s Awesome podcast below.
Now let us know, what do you think about Braedyn’s choices for her Emmy scenes that landed her an Emerging Talent nomination? Do you want Emma to have her edge back? Do you think that Gio and Trina might actually wind up together and Emma will be the one left out in the cold? Stay tuned and weigh-in via the comment section.
News
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’

Vivica A. Fox has wrapped her most recent run as Dr. Stephanie Simmons on CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless with news directly from the actress herself.
Fox, who initially returned after more than 30 years away along with Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters) in April of 2026, but stayed on longer than had been anticipated, is now off on another project.
In a new video clip posted to her Instagram Story (which has since expired), the actress received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her Y&R glam squad as she said her “goodbyes” for now to the cast and the hair and make-up departments.

Photo: JPI
Turns out, Vivica is headed to Shelter Island near the Hamptons in New York for her role in the Netflix film Women Like Us, which is executive produced by the former White House First Lady, Michelle Obama. The Netflix project is said to be filming in that location from September 1 through October 1.
‘WOMEN LIKE US’ CAST
In story, Women Like Us is about a recently widowed woman whose sister and lifelong friends bring her to the Hamptons on her 30th wedding anniversary. According to the production team the film is, “an emotional journey of healing and sisterhood.” The View’s Whoopi Goldberg, Vanessa Williams and Jenifer Lewis round out the main cast.
UNTIL NEXT TIME Y&R FAMILY
In her IG story, Fox shared about her departure from Genoa City, “Hey there, darlings. It’s your girl, Vivica. I’m going to be be going away for a couple of months to do my new film, Women Like Us. But today, when I came to work… my beautiful glam squad with their fabulous self—Jerry, Orlando, Justin—got me these beautiful flowers to send me off from Young and the Restless. This was supposed to be just eight shows and it turned into six months.”
Next, Fox turned to her glam squad and expressed, “I love you guys. I’m going to miss you.” She then shared a message to the Y&R fans, “And all I can say to you Y&R family out there, I’ll see you soon.”

Photos: VFoxIGstory
WHAT ABOUT NATE AND STEPHANIE’S ROMANCE?
The timing is interesting for Fox’s exit, given the soap opera recently paired Dr. Nate Hastings (Daytime Emmy nominee Sean Dominic) with Dr. Stephanie Simmons in a burgeoning romance. In addition, Stephanie is currently is the Chief of Staff at Genoa City Memorial Hospital.
So, someone will need to take over the Chief of Staff position in an interim manner, wouldn’t you say? Will Nate and Stephanie call it quits before things really took off? Stay tuned! Given Y&R tapes usually about six weeks ahead of air, viewers will have to tune-in to see how Fox wraps her current run.
So, what have you thought of the pairing of Nate and Stephanie on The Young and the Restless? Do you hope Vivica comes back to Y&R sooner than later? Excited to see the film she will be featured in ‘Women Like Us’ when it comes out hopefully in 2027? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Only Soaps to Gain Total Viewers Week-Over-Week

The latest ratings are out for the week of August 17- 21, 2026. Two daytime dramas showed an uptick in total viewers week-over-week, while two did not, and General Hospital moved back into 3rd place over Beyond the Gates in the key women’s 18-49 ratings share, and tied with the CBS soap for 3rd place for the key women’s 25-54 ratings share.
According to Soap Opera Network via data supplied via Nielsen’s Live+Same Day, Big Date +Panel model, CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful showed the most gains in total viewers adding +12,000 and bringing its year-over-year tally to +262,000. For the week of August 17, B&B had an average audience of 2,688,000 tuning-in.
The central story focused on Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) bonding over their crumbling marriages while eachwas on drunken bender, they slept together. Meanwhile, Finn (Tanner Novlan) rushed back to Los Angeles from Monaco to salvage his relationship with his wife, and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) turned around and headed back from the airport to reconcile with Carter after walking out on their marriage.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital, the ABC soap opera added +8,000 total viewers for the week with an average of 1,856,000 tuning-in from August 17 to 21. The series is still under the 2 million mark for the last few consecutive weeks. Year-over-year at this time, GH is -35,000 off the pace from 2025.
In story, there was drama across Port Charles with shifting alliances, explosive confrontations, and shocking revelations including: Jason (Steve Burton) quitting the mob and informing Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), Ric (Rick Hearst) getting jealous of Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Elizabeth’s (Rebecca Herbst) closeness, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Tracy (Jane Elliot) finding out Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) moved back into the Quartermaine gatehouse.

Photo: JPI
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
As for the top-rated The Young and the Restless, they remained the most-watched soap opera of all losing -14,000 for the week, but still up +90,000 year-over-year and averaging 3,027,000 viewers for the ratings week.
The Y&R drama centered around stories including; Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) causing chaos by declaring that Chancellor Industries belongs to the Abbotts, while the aftermath of Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Marie (Jade Harlow) night together in a seedy hotel which landed them both in rehab continues to haunt Nick.

Photo: CBS
BEYOND THE GATES
Finally at Beyond the Gates, the newest soap in the line-up lost only -1,000 in total audience for the week, with 1,647,000 tuning in and the series is considerably up year-over-year with +132,000.
Beyond the Gates featured a series of showdowns and explosive secrets coming to light including: Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) confronting a hospitalized Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) about his intentions toward Dani (Karla Mosley), while Andre’s (Sean Freeman) dark past with Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) came to light.
So, what do you think of the latest ratings picture and performance of your favorite soap? Which daytime drama from broadcast television is piquing your interest the most? Which is not? Let us know via the comment section.
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