News
Victoria Rowell on her version of "Spit take" and Dru recast!
Oh, where do begin in this doozy of an interview with Victoria Rowell! Out today, part two of TV Guide Canada’s, Nelson Branco chitchat with the author of the new scandalous and hilarious novel, Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva, which hit the bookstores yesterday! In part two, Rowell answers the highly anticipated response, or flip-side to Branco’s recent interview with Rowell’s former co-star, Michelle Stafford, in regards to Michelle’s statement on the now notorious “spit-take” that occured during a scene a few years back between on-screen nemesis’s Drucilla and Phyllis on Y&R.
You can see their are two very different views of what went down. Also, Rowell gives her feelings on the recasting of Drucilla in a casting breakdown that went out from the series several weeks ago. Below are some excerpts!
Rowell on the spit-take: “During the scene, as Dru is about to tell Phyllis she’s her boss, Michelle elected to freely pick up the mug, fill her mouth with water, and spew the contents therein on me. You could hear a pin drop on the set. No one moved. Dead silence. Michelle began laughing hysterically and couldn’t stop. In fact, Michelle ruined the tag of the scene because it was supposed to end on her but she couldn’t refrain from laughing. Finally, the director said, “Stop tape!” I looked into the blackness of the theatre and the stage and asked if anyone had a blow dryer because let’s not forget we still had additional scenes to film. No one had a blow dryer. Had the “spit take” been cleared with anyone, don’t you think there would have been something to dry me off with? So, I had to excuse myself from the set to dry myself off. Michelle screamed at me, “You have to stay wet for continuity.” I continued to climb the stairs and finally dried myself off. When I returned, Michelle was gone. When she twirled back on the set, she was hysterically out of control. She wasn’t laughing this time but she was hysterical with [former co-executive producer Ed Scott] following behind her saying, “Just finish the scene, Michelle. Michelle looked at me, and said to me, “You are a freak and no one here likes you.” I responded, “Are you ready to run lines? We have another scene to do.”
Rowell on recasting Drucilla: “From a business angle, I will simply say it’s their prerogative to do Dru on the cheap and introduce a knock-off version. Nothing against the actress. Good for her, she’ll get a gig out of this; I don’t begrudge anyone a job. But given that this is Bill Bell’s legacy, why don’t they just create a new, funky, fabulous character instead? Instead, we’re seeing Y&R trying to regurgitate 17 years of unique hard work that they don’t really creatively own themselves. I will admit I was shocked at how blatant CBS was in describing this Drucilla clone in the breakdown. It was cold and callous to announce they were looking for a cheap Dru version in just one breakdown paragraph. It minimized 17 years of blood, sweat and tears in a breakdown that clearly is describing my character, Drucilla Barber Winters. It’s like taking a painting and taking over that painting by throwing new colours on it. It’s outright plagiarism, but because they own the character, they have the legal right to paint over a masterpiece.”
The Victoria Rowell saga is alot more enthralling than majority if not all of the “best” show emmy reels. Man those were bad. Also, who has spoken out for MS other than Bergman? Braeden’s spoken for Rowell. Yet, those 2 got all Mayweather Mosley in a boxing match on the set, yet they’re both still on Y&R.
The Dru clone comments remind me of when Hunter Tylo complained abt Tricia Quick. She was this brunette psychiatrist character that B&B created rt after Taylor was “killed” by Sheila. Tylo was livid that Bell created a character so similar, and Tricia was introduced to counsel Ridge, much like gynecologist turned psychiatrist Tay counseled Ridge after Caroline died.
Bell even laughed abt it an interview and told the reporter he created Tricia to annoy the audience. Bell even had Ridge imagine Tricia was Tay and have Tylo do those scenes after she was fired. That must have annoyed the heck out of her. They need to off the Barber Winters characters. Create a new black core family. And Rowell shouldn’t go back to that environment.
How could Stafford even laugh after she spit on someone, even as an alleged “mistake”? She obviously planned it. Rowell has displayed a lot of class, self respect, decency, professionalism and above all her primary concern is the quality of the work and Y&R’s audience. Rowell is too smart for soaps.
Right, it seems Stafford is a lot like her portrayed character on Y & R who is VERY annoying. You are right, Rowell is way too smart for these idiots. I hope she starts directing, somewhere, anywhere. God bless her.
Rowell is an obvious egomaniac. Her version of Drucilla was a masterpiece??? She was a shrill one dimensional harpy. She has shown ZERO class in promoting her book and ripping Y&R apart at every interview. Promote your book, nothing wrong with that, it may even be good but enough with the sour grapes. Theres a reason they dont want her back!
I Totally agree! I used to love this “masterpiece” of an actress. Yuck, really? What was I thinking.
Wish I only knew who “Dru” was and not miss rowell
Goodness, didn’t realize Victoria Rowell went through so much drama… I totally hate that as I loved the Dru character and can’t see ANYONE else doing it. I completely understand if she never sets foot on that set again, but I wish they somehow work out their differences because I REALLY MISS DRU and Y&R NEEDS her… whether they realize it or not.
i find it hard to believe that michelle said “You are a freak and no one here likes you.” to victoria rowell, she has a lot of class, so if the person who wrote this interview or victoria rowell is just trying to trash the actress, good luck to that.
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
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‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
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