Connect with us

News

6

‘The Young and the Restless’ Fans Have Spoken; Lauralee Bell’s On-Screen Wedding Dress for Cricket and Danny Nuptials Revealed!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: JPI

Since voting ended this past September, Y&R viewers and especially longtime fans of Cricket (Lauralee Bell) and Danny (Michael Damian) have been waiting to find out if the wedding dress they voted for will be worn by Lauralee Bell on the upcoming nuptials set to kick-off later this week on Friday, November 21 and Monday, November 24 on the CBS daytime drama series.

Now, ahead of the two-day event, the winning dress as voted on by the fans has been revealed via PEOPLE. In the end, it was the strapless bodycon gown with the cutout, sweetheart neckline that was victorious designed by Y&R costume designer, Mandi Line and her wardrobe team.

Bell shared on the collaboration with Line, “I wouldn’t have wanted to go through this fun — and the bit of stress of finding three totally different dresses — with anyone but Mandi She has such an incredible ability to add/subtract an element or take in/shorten a dress so that you feel your absolute best.”

Photo: JPI

Lauralee, who has been playing Cricket, since she debuted as a teen model on the iconic soap opera back in 1983 said she even kept the winning dress under wraps even to her own daughter, Samantha, 23. “My daughter is still in the dark about the winner. I really decided not to tell anyone — family and best friends included! But my daughter Samantha is very savvy and I believe watched the percentages during the voting time, but she never pressured me to fess up.”

It’s been since their first wedding back in 1990 on location in Hawaii, no less, and then there subsequent bust-up four years later, thanks to the machinations of Phyllis (Michelle Stafford), that the two characters haven’t tied the knot. Now over 30-plus years later, its time for them to make it official, unless something goes wrong, that is. This is a soap opera wedding after all!

“I’m a fan of television, so I get having your heart ache for a couple and wishing they’ll reunite. We just didn’t realize how many have had this hope for 30-plus years, and we are loving having them alongside us on this journey,” an overjoyed Bell expressed.

Upon the announcement on Monday, Mandi Line took to her Instagram and shared: “The votes are in! And the winning dress is #1!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited to be able to finally announce CRICKETS WEDDING LOOK!  So many people to thank but none of this would have been possible without the gorgeous designs from @q_bridalofficial !!!! @pueyquinones ♥️ It was so hard to keep this secret when talking to the design team @avillagran73 and the team. I’m so thankful to them for allowing us to use their designs and Lauralee Bell was able to shine like the gorgeous bride Cricket will be.

Line added, “YOUR VOTE COUNTED!!! Look at our bride shine! Can’t wait for the real date to tune in THIS FRIDAY!! Nov 21st!!!! to see not only the #brideandgroom but all the wedding guests look. I’m soooo proud and excited! Make sure to tune-in!”

So, did you favorite wedding dress wind up being the winner, which will see Lauralee as Cricket walking down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Danny Romalotti? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by mandi line (@mandiline)

 

6 Comments

6 Comments
oldest
newest

I have not been clamoring for this. Don’t know anyone who has. Today’s show put me to sleep….The whole Cane story line hasn’t paid off, and it seems like Griffith is just making it up on a daily basis. Noah’s story shows promise, the first thing in a long time that shows any possibility of being interesting. Can’t believe Cane is stuck living on a train, how sad. But this wedding, other than seeing Nina and Gina, is just filler on a show that doesn’t need any more filler.

Nobody cares about Cricket and Danny anymore. That was the 80s and 90s–done with. Y&R pretty boring right now.

I never did care; Cricket was always my least favorite character way back. Given that these two are no longer regulars, don’t know why they are being given this big wedding story. Why didn’t they just get married while on tour, never to return to GC again.

While not overly-excited about this storyline, we will watch just to see former cast members. I’m hoping this is the first of many quick stories for older cast members and a way to usher them out of the series. Viewers have been with this show a long time, and it would be fitting to have a bunch of “bon voyages’ for them. Then it’s time to bring in the youngsters and give them meaningful and current stories–that had always been the heart and soul of Bill Bell’s vision. While keeping the cast young, the narrative can include stories with some of the elderly (that’s what Bell did with Kay Chancellor, Liz Foster, and Stuart and Jennifer Brookes). Future cast stories should be about Charlie and Maddie, Connor, Johnnie/Katie/Christian/Faith/Noah, Lucy, Fenmore etc. The Victor/Jack/Nikki/Diane/Phyllis stories have been exhausted– I like the actors and their incredible talents, but it’s time to be backburners like Traci and Ashley.

That was my vote!

I didn’t like the wedding dress. Not a prude but she looked like a Cricket Kardashian. The dress was simply not consistent with her character. I kept thinking I hope this gown isn’t a Forrester original. The reception gown however was beautiful and very becoming.

Beyond the Gates

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Opens About Breaking ‘Passions’ Contract, Claiming the Soap Had a ‘Militant Vibe’

Published

on

By

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Soap operas aren’t for everyone and you can add motion picture and television star Mary Elizabeth Winstead to the list. It was back in 1999 that a 14-year-0ld Winstead joined the cast of the upstart NBC soap opera in the role of Jessica Bennett.

Now in a new conversation on Off Camera with Sam Jones, Winstead talked about the early years of her career in Hollywood, which was topped off by her decision to get out of her contract with Passions after just a year.

Opening up about her experience on the set of Passions, Winstead shared, she didn’t particularly enjoy it. Having worked on other sets before landing the role of Jessica, Winstead said that compartively, “I kind of knew this wasn’t what everything was like.”

Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Photo: NBC

DISGRUNTLED OVER SOAP OPERA’S TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

However, Mary Elizabeth then went on to explain the set of Passions has a real “militant vibe” and “it was friendly and it wasn’t encouraging or warm.” She cites an example of how her mother wasn’t allowed on set and and was forced by the producers to spend her day in Mary Elizabeth’s dressing room.

Winstead added, “There were times where she (her mother) would kind of try and quietly be there (on set), and they would be like, ‘We’ll just pretend we didn’t see you around here.”‘All of this, and her unhappiness, led Winstead to break her contract.

For those who need a Passions refresher course, the character of Jessica Bennett ,who was later played by Jade Harlow and Danica Stewart, was initially a quiet introverted teen. Eventually, Jessica went through a major downward spiral that included substance abuse, being forced into prostitution by Spike Lester (whom she briefly married), a fake death and burial, and rehab!

MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD’S CAREER

As for Winstead, she most recently appeared in the Hulu remake of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, A Gentleman in Moscow, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Smashed (for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination), 10 Cloverfield Lane and FX’s Fargo.

Meanwhile on the home front, Winstead is married to motion picture and television star Ewan McGregor. The couple tied the knot in 2022 after meeting on the set of FX’s series Fargo in 2016.

You can check out Mary Elizabeth Winstead talking about her experience on Passions on the Off Camera Show below.

What do you think of Winstead’s feelings on the environment on the set of Passions? If you watch the clip below, do you think host Sam Jones talked down about soap operas as well? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

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

Published

on

By

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.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

6
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x