News
Sally McDonald, Longtime Emmy-Winning Director Becomes Co-Executive Producer at ‘The Young and the Restless’
There has been a shift at the regime over at the top-rated The Young and the Restless with news on Wednesday that longtime Daytime Emmy-Award winning director, Sally McDonald has been promoted to the daytime drama series as its co-executive producer. McDonald will work alongside of Josh Griffith, who remains the soap’s executive producer and head writer.
This change at the top, may reflect that Griffith will spent more significant time concentrating on head writing duties. Soap Opera Digest first reported the Co-EP news. Sally has been a mainstay at CBS and then-CBS Television City (now known as just “Television City). She got her start working as a typist back in 1983. Later, she worked her way up to production supervisor for various shows at the studio, namely games shows such as The $10,000 Pyramid, Card Sharks, and Win, Lose, or Draw.
It was in 1989 that Sally joined the production team of The Young and the Restless, and later became an associate director on the series. Then, in 1996 she became a director on the soap opera working alongside some of the biggest names in Genoa City history including: the late great Jeanne Cooper (ex-Katherine), Kristoff St. John (ex-Kristoff), Jess Walton (Jill) and more.

Photo: JPI
Throughout her tenure, Sally has received eight Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team (1996-1999, 2001-2002, 2011 and 2019) category, She has also scored a total of 17 nominations for her directorial efforts. In addition, Sally and the directing team from Y&R, picked up the DGA Award in 1997 in the category of Outstanding Directorial Achievement for Daytime Serials.

Photo: JPI
You will often find that many of the nominated episodes and favorite moments in the history of Y&R over the last 30 years have been directed by McDonald. Cast members have often hailed Sally as one of the best directors in the genre. Now, she brings her talent and wealth of knowledge and history of the show to the producing team.
So, what do you think of Y&R promoting from within and naming Sally McDonald as the series new co-executive producer? Share your thoughts and hopes via the comment section below.
Wow!!! Could this ultimately lead to Josh Griffith being pushed out for good with Sally being the sole EP and the show/CBS/Sony hiring a new HW?? Hey, I can dream about this can’t I!!
That would be lovely! I don’t understand how so many of our daytime shows just shuffle their staff members around, especially when so many just decimate the shows we’ve loved for years.
Y&R brought back Ed Scott, nothing changed. They apparently have brought back Jill Farren Phelps, and we see no changes. Sally McDonald has history with the show, but nothing is going to change. The only change that will matter is when Josh Griffith’s name is no longer in the credits as anything. Not executive producer, not head writer or even writer. He needs to be gone for the to be any positive change at Y&R.
My only conclusion is Josh Griffith s salary is minimum wage. How else to explain hes been given more than 5 years at the top of this show? Clear CBS and Sony dont invest in the show anymore . Expectations are mediocre. Its so bad they let the amazing Ed Scott go to keep Griffith.
Edward J. Scott and Jill Farren Phelps’ roles are in the booth. They are not handling anything show-wise beyond its look and directing.
Please,please dump Josh as head writer
So long as it keeps performing in both demos and ratings he won’t be exiting.
I find it interesting that yandr shuffles its people around but what we see on air reflects nothing! This show is so boring at this point you could miss an entire week of episodes! I don’t know what’s going on but there are no stories and something needs to be done asap
News
‘The Bachelor’ Names NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman as Lead for Season 30

ABC has named their ‘Bachelor’ for the upcoming 30th season of the reality series. Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old NFL quarterback who plays playing for the Washington Commanders, will be handing out the roses as he searches for love.
The upcoming season of The Bachelor will premiere in 2027 on Sunday, March 21 at 8 p.m ET. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
The announcement was made, and Hartman’s first interview was on the Friday, November 13 edition of Good Morning America, where he shared with cohosts Sam Champion and Rebecca Jarvis: “I’m excited but also very nervous, I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough.”

Photo: NFL
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB WRESTLED WITH THE NOTION OF BECOMING THE BACHELOR
Hartman also revealed his initial thoughts on appearing on The Bachelor: “Honestly, at first, I was like ‘no way. The connotation of it − I don’t know.” Ultimately the QB was swayed to take on the reality franchise lead for its upcoming season.
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman played for Wake Forest and Notre Dame in the college ranks. It was there he set ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games. Sam was also featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights. Currently, on the NFL’s Washington Commanders, he serves as a quarterback on their practice squad.
FORMER ATHLETES THAT ALSO GAVE OUT THE FINAL ROSE
The pick of Sam Hartman aligns with pro athletes who have appeared on the show in the past including: now ‘Bachelor’ host, NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, former soccer player Juan Pablo Galavi, ace car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and former NFL practice squad player Colton Underwood.
The Bachelor is executive produced by Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.
You can check out Sam Hartman talking about being cast as the series lead for the upcoming season 30 of The Bachelor with GMA below.
Now let us know, will you be checking out the 2027 season of The Bachelor featuring Sam looking for love? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)

Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?

Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”

Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
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