News
Y&R’s EP and Head Writer Josh Griffith Teases Jordan and Ian’s Targets: “It’s the Entire Newman Family … But I Think Mariah and Claire, Specifically”
The Young and the Restless just re-introduced baddies, Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk) and Ian Ward (Ray Wise), to the Genoa City canvas, and just in time, as Sharon (Sharon Case) just confessed all to Nick (Joshua Morrow), but is he truly believing she is capable of what she said she did — killing Heather Stevens (Vail Bloom) … and trying to run Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) off the road? On, Monday’s November 18th episode, Sharon told Chance (Conner Floyd) to arrest her and to take her into custody.
However, Y&R’s executive producer and head writer, dropped several Easter eggs, such as Sharon’s blackouts, and now with Jordan and Ian holed up at a seedy hotel revealing themselves, it’s clear they have had something to do with Sharon’s mental state, Heather’s death and Phyllis’ car accident, but how, and why?
Now, Griffith has opened up about crafting the storyline of Heather’s death, and his plans for Jordan and Ian in an interview with Soap Opera Digest. The head scribe explained, “I knew that it needed to be somebody who not only we could come up with motive for the killing, but that also the reveal would be massive,” Josh explained. “It wouldn’t just be, ‘Oh, who’s that?’ And I started looking into, historically, who had a beef with the Newmans. And, we landed on Ian Ward.”
Photo: JPI
However, once again in his career, Griffith was inspired by an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and this time it was Stranger on a Train. Josh thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if Ian had an accomplice that equally needed something to happen because they were angry and they felt they’d been wronged?’”
Putting Jordan and Ian together for a diabolical plan was Griffith’s endgame as he reveals, “In a nutshell, the idea is that these two wonderful villains — who both have reasons to want revenge in Genoa City — would find each other and team up. It seemed perfect and that this murder could be the catalyst for the whole thing. As we were putting the pressure on Sharon and we were slowly starting to reveal that things were not exactly as she thinks they are, at the perfect point, we would then reveal to the audience these two mastermind criminals.”
Photo: JPI
Josh urged for fans to be on the lookout for Jordan and Ian’s next leg of their story, “The ramifications throughout Genoa City as we slowly reveal (their plans), it is just going to be a powder keg of excitement.” But who are the actual people that Jordan and Ian want to inflict pain and suffering on? Griffith noted, “It’s the entire Newman family. They all need to watch their back. But I think Mariah (Camryn Grimes) and Claire (Hayley Erin), specifically….”
So, how do you think Jordan and Ian managed to frame Sharon? Run Phyllis off the road? How could they time Sharon’s blackouts? What will be there plan for Mariah (who used to be in Ian’s cult) and Claire (who supposedly turned her back on her Aunt Jordan)? Weigh-in on your theories via the comment section.
But first, check out this video ditty from the Y&R Insider, You Tube Channel featuring Colleen Zenk and Ray Wise answering some burning questions on their returns as Jordan and Ian below.
I think it sucks. The whole story. Don’t you think out of anybody Victor Newman would be the first one to know that Jordan was out of jail or broke out of jail whatever happened. Come on writers were not that stupid.
100% correct Dolores! Saw online that Zenk said she was told in June she’d be headed back to Y&R in the fall. Right, the fact that the whack job escaped from prison wasn’t even newsworthy in this town. Griffith just wings it, doesn’t care about any kind of accuracy. The whole story is nonsense. Victor still having the prison cell….what these poor actors must go through to deliver these lines. They know this guy can’t write. And so do we.
Maybe Mariah isn’t Mariah after all and she was brainwashed, it’s actually Cassie…fans would be excited to learn their beloved Cassie we watch grow up has so much story, she’s a legal Newman, the thought of Daniel and opening the same storyline because he’s very much entrenched in the story with Cassie, more possibility to create story for Cassie then “Mariah”
I just want to see Colleen on our screens for as long as we can. I miss seeing her all the time like we did when she was on ATWT.
I agree with you 100% James. I am 58 years old and I remember watching ATWT with my mom when I was 12 and I was forever hooked. Barbara was my favorite. I thought she was so classy. I was thrilled when she first appeared on YandR. It doesn’t matter to me that this storyline looks like it might be ad thrilling as people are saying. I am just glad that the beautiful Colleen Zenk is back on daytime TV
I actually am looking forward to these two “playing” on screen together. It will be a lot more fun than all of the back and forth company/merger/acquisition angst. I just hope that there will be a youth element arriving in Spring/Summer. The show is called The YOUNG and the RESTLESS.
Mentioning Griffith’s name in the same breath as Hitchcock is beyond idiotic.
Griffith says he was inspired by Hitchcock. We all know he’s nowhere near Hitchcock in talent.
But what’s sad, is HE doesn’t know it, dilutions of grandeur or Victor Newman, which is it?
Ok,if this is like Strangers on a train, then Jordan is going after Sharon for taking Mariah from him and Ian will return the favor by torturing Victoria and the other Newmans. I dunno!! Maybe it’s Josh’s way of honoring the monumental number of episodes, by bringing back characters from the past –dunno.
A fun interview with Colleen Zenk and Ray Wise about their return. Seeing them return was a shocker – I don’t even care how they got there. I love Ray Wise.
I rarely watch Young and the Restless and now i know why. It sucks. Can’t they write a soap about interpersonal relationships without resorting to psycho and Chucky 3. The cast is way too large. The corporate drama always leads to no where. The hottest couple on the show is Nicky and Victor. The writer is mining the golden years as he doesnt have a clue. The show is a mess.
Thank you! Can’t even read the nonsense anymore the guy never knew the end game just throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks. The first thing that they should have done was test Sharon’s meds . Duh
Mariah is so boring no one will miss her
Tessa will!!
Well. Maybe they will finally write for Camryn. Then she would be terrific! She has 2 Emmy’s for her work their! The actor is damn talented. Enough of the newman’s and abbott’s. Use the whole town-cast for story
So this year we had Cameron come back to seek revenge on Sharon, now Ian, who’s next Matt Clark getting a third kick at the can.
And I already see coming the attempt on Victor’s life which he survives but convinces Elena to tell everyone he is dead so he can remain safe until they figure out who wanted him dead–OR, where Jordon puts Victor in a cell and everyone thinks he is dead– either way we will get weeks of Chance questioning everyone in town who had a motive to “kill” Victor– I hope I’m wrong, but if not out of two I am rooting to see Jordon put Victor in a cell because that would be a bit more interesting.
So as much as I applaud the actors playing Jordon and Ian for trying to give these one note characters depth– I missed the old days where the line between good and evil in a villain was blurry and some days you actually felt sorry for them or think they had a good reason for it, like Kevin in the early days of his character, or Michael Baldwin– heck even Adam– they all did horrible things, yet had enough humanity to make them interesting.
And if JG really wants to shock us, write a back story to help us understand why Jordon and Ian are “evil”– turn them into real characters and not cartoons because right now, whenever I see them, I think moose and squirrel might show up at any moment to save the day– and for those of you too young to get the reference “google” Rocky and Bullwinkle, because Jordon and Ian are Natasha and Boris without the Russian accents.
Here is a thought, the whole Newman family is already entangled with different story lines, Claire mixed with Kyle Abbot and that whole scheme that Jack and Diane Pulled. Victor being Victor getting Chancellor Industries from Jill and Billy. Nick was the one who needed some drama and he got it with this triangle and not to mention he has 5 kids to think about from Noah (who hasn’t been around and this would a great time to bring him back.), Faith, Summer, Mariah, and Christian. Victoria is busy trying to rekindle with Cole, Nikki is about to be busy running Chancellor. Adam being the regular Scumbag he always has been. I know Ian wants revenge on Mariah from her time in the cult. Jordan wants revenge on the Newman family for what she thinks they did to Claire by brainwashing her against Aunt Jordan. I mean Ian and Jordan teaming up does make sense, since Ian is a good manipulator as much as Jordan, what if they concocted to get Daisy out from wherever she is, since as Jordan said to Ian, “with your resources” he could get anybody out of prison or a mental hospital.
I want to know how these two horrible people met, and is he really after, Mariah, via kidnapping her baby? I will stop watching if that happens. It’s been torturous enough with the Sharon and Daniel thing.I would also think that Jordsn would want to get as far away from Genia City as. Possible.
Don’t know if I feel relieved or more frustrated. Nor did I see the program when Ian was apparently a cult leader. Jordan truly frightened me and so did Victor when she was in a cell in his basement. Nikki didn’t know about it? However, both those in the above dialog seem delightful!
Please don’t make the storylines all so dark! Nick has been on the sideline for many years it seems. I still record and watch.
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
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