News
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Weighs-in on the Controversial Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, got off to a rocky start with a heavily criticized opening ceremony broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock. However, the ratings proved otherwise. Nearly 29 million viewers, the highest viewership since the 2012 Games tuned in on multiple platforms to watch the spectacle.
With the weather not cooperating with the planned opening ceremony held on the Seine River, due to rain that got more intense as the ceremony continued, the program mixed prerecorded and live performances. Meanwhile, the athletes were taken down the river on boats, waving their countries flags in the rain. This was juxtaposed against unusual segments played out on the sides of the river to emulate French history and more.
The artistic director for the opening ceremony was Thomas Jolly, an actor and stage director, who brought many theatrical moments to the ceremony. However, the ceremony was not without some poignant moments including when Celine Dion delivered a heartfelt and tremendous vocal performance, her first in five years since battling Stiff Person’s Syndrome. Even Lady Gaga was seemingly plagued by some sound issues during her performance.

Photo: AP
The Young and the Restless’ Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) took to X, to give his thoughts on the artistic direction of the spectacle. Braeden expressed, “The opening ceremony was given to a guy who is a theatre director! This is a visual feast, and should have been directed by one of the many brilliant filmmakers in PARIS! And what was all this tortured imagery about? And the teams on the boats largely out of focus!”
However, Eric also noted some of the high notes, sharing, “The highlights were the lighting of the Olympic fire, the BEATLES SONG AND, finally and gloriously, CELINE DION!! I love that woman’s singing! It’s FROM THE HEART!! And LADY GAGA SHOULD HAVE DONE A MEDLEY OF EDITH PIAF SONGS!”

Photo: NBC
One fan, who responded to Braeden’s message expressed their thoughts on Jolly’s artistic direction, and added, “I think he was trying to recreate let’s say a painting/photo/moment in culture w/a bit of Olympic History mixed in. The problem is it was literally a movable stage no one could control. Maybe the weather & micromanagement did it in. It certainly wasn’t the worst though.”
Braeden responded, “Yeah, well, kind of.. I thought it was pretty awful! Obviously not conceived by a visual artist or someone with a deep appreciation of the extraordinary athletes, all in one place!! Why would I want to see some ridiculous dance numbers, instead of closer looks and interviews with the athletes!”

Courtesy/NBC
Meanwhile, the ceremony has now seen an outcry about the depiction of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” that featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch — an LGBTQ+ icon — flanked by drag artists and dancers, and then French actor, Philippe Katerine, seemingly naked lying on a giant fruit platter, with some gold dust and a smattering of foliage to cover his privates. It led to some social media users to compare him to a Smurf. There was also a faceless torch-bearer doing parkour on Parisian rooftops and a headless Marie Antoinette figurine, receiving mixed reactions from viewers. Still others thought the opening ceremony was highly-creative, touching and beautiful.

Courtesy/NBC
So, what do you think about Eric’s sentiments on the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris? Do you wish it would have had less imagery and we could actually see the athletes better? Comment below.
The opening ceremony was given to a guy who is a theatre director! This is a visual feast, and should have been directed by one of the many brilliant filmmakers in PARIS! And what was all this tortured imagery about? And the teams on the boats largely out of focus!
The…— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) July 28, 2024
Since they kept weaving pre-recorded footage into it and it was fast-paced: I saw the people sitting there but I mistakingly assumed they were with the runway fashion show. It wasn’t until the next day until I learned what it was. My heart sank a little when I learned. Regardless of their intent, they had to know it was going to be deemed by many as religious mockery. Many religious people are very accepting of all walks of life and want no strife. The segment was about Paris fashion and shouldn’t have strayed into religion. If one wants acceptance, offending half the world is a poor way to achieve it. If Paris wants to be a good host it got off to a bad start. In the grand scheme of things it is supposed to be about the athletes and not about the city….and certainly not about the director’s grievances.
Except it wasn’t the last supper. It was a depiction of the GREEK Bachanalia.
You are correct, Audra!
I wonder if that POS would mock the religion of Islam ? I doubt it real tired of your in our face your sickening crap you dish out every day you want to be accepted then start acting like humans
I would rather hear what Erik Braeden thinks about the current state of affairs at Y&R. Like, everything that’s wrong there. But no, we get a story about what he thinks about something not even remotely linked to his show or this website???
You do realize Eric is a human being and he is allowed to voice his opinions on events that occur outside of his show!
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
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