News
THIS IS US Season Two Premiere Sets Series High With Major Revelation On Jack’s Death!
This Is Us which stars former Y&R star Justin Hartley, along with Emmy winner, Sterling K. Brown, Milo Ventimiglia, Chrissy Metz, and Mandy Moore scored a series high in the ratings during its season two premiere.
In the overnight ratings, according to TV Line, the opener “drew 12.6 million total viewers and a 3.8 demo rating, marking the show’s second-largest audience ever (trailing only its freshman finale, which did 12.8 mil) while setting a new demo high (besting the same finale’s 3.4).”
As had been promised by This Is Us creator, Dan Fogelman, the 2nd season premiere would hold key info on just how Jack Pearson died, something that has been the shows signature mystery, since the premise jumps from the “Big Three” (Hartley, Metz, and Brown) in real-time, while we watch their parents relationship play out in the past.

Photo Credit: NBC
In story, Rebecca (Moore) and Jack (Ventimigilia) begin to try to reconcile their relationship, where Jack admits he has had a serious drinking problem that he has kept hidden from his wife and kids. She tells him to come home with her and to get in the car.
Next, we see a distraught Rebecca driving solo with Jack’s belongings in plastic bags, as we cut to young Kate and young Randall learning the news that their father has died. Meanwhile, young Kevin is making out with Sophie, and does not know yet. Behind the wheel of her car, Rebecca lets out a gut-wrenching cry, as she pulls up to what looks to be the scorched and burned-down Pearson home. We fade to black.
So, what did you think of the season two premiere of This Is Us? How do you surmise Jack actually died? Comment below.
The writing on this show is spectacular. The ending was gut wrenching. This cast continues to amaze me. Kudos to Mandy Moore, Milo and Sterling.
I absolutely love this show! It is the one show that I watch religiously (along with “Scandal”). It just pulls at your heartstrings, and I think everyone can relate to at least one character or storyline that is depicted. So much heart is poured into each episode. It’s a great show to watch and just purge out your feelings (in tears). It’s beautifully written and portrayed.
Good acting, good stories and good music, how could you go wrong. Yeah, I was kind of disappointed in season ones finale but season twos premiere was great! They weave timelines seamlessly like a Duke and Anna Tango! The last few minutes were phenomenal. I would assume Jack dies in a fire. My only question is was it faulty wiring or could it have been one of the kids fault, particularly Kate’s?
Agreed, it’s a great show. Your Timeline and Duke and Anna Tango analogy is accurate–and both are lovable.
As usual, this show had me in tears by the end. I’ve missed the Pearsons. I heard we see the darker side of Jack this season, I hope they tread lightly here because we all need a hero to believe in.
He was drunk and caused the house fire that also took his life
This is Us is a great primetime soap..
The characters are magnetic .. The stories strong .
It is drama and humor. and most of all it is real. it is life.
The daytime soaps could should take a clue from This is Us …
And yet…no cursing, no “apple watches”, no “younger” writers!!! Get my drift? 😉
It’s obvious that he died in the house
Jack committed suicide by arson.
The writing and acting on this show are phenomenal! Based on the clues in the final minutes of this episode, I believe Jack died by going into (or back into) the fire to save Kate’s dog. That would explain why she feels responsible for his death.
Amazing show. Superlative writing, characterizations, relationships. The weaving the past into the future is brilliantly done, never interfering with continuity.
Broke my heart from the beginning to watch Jack knowing he’s been dead for a long time…he’s such a poignant character.
At first it looked to me that there had been a car accident…and Rebecca, after convincing Jack to come home with her, had been driving. I thought how gut-wrenching and ironic as life can be. She, trying to save him and stand by him getting into an accident thereby being the cause for his death. So I was surprised to see the house decimated at the end. I don’t remember Jack smoking…thought perhaps he had falled asleep drunk with a cigarette. Either way, seems he caused the fire, or was too drunk to get out in time.
Devastating. So well done as it rips your heart out.
fallen
I love this show!! I really can’t say much about how or why Jack died because with this show you just never know..lol..I think that’s one of the things that got me hooked in the first place.
Kate starts the fire accidentally and Jack dies saving her?
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
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.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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?
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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