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Y&R’s Eric Braeden Weighs-in on the Controversial Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

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.

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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!

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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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