News
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest Defends Appointment Of B&B's Colleen Bell As Ambassador To Hungary, While Daily Show's Jon Stewart & The Colbert Report Have Their Own Commentary On The Situation!

Courtesy/WashingtonPostTV
This week, it seems that pop culture just couldn’t steer away from the appointment by the U.S. Senate of The Bold and the Beautiful producer, Colleen Bell (wife of B&B’s Brad Bell) as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.
Citing her non-qualifications, and fundraising efforts , the press that covers politics in Washington certainly fired away at White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, who defended the appointment of Bell in a press conference with reporters earlier this week.
Earnest said to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, senior congressional reporter, who was not enthused over the appointment, “As it relates to Ambassador Bell, she had the President’s confidence that she will represent the United States and maintain the important relationship the United States has with the government and the people of Hungary.” He goes on to say that Colleen about her qualifications, “She has had her own private sector career and obviously someone who had succeeded in the business world.”

Courtesy/Comedy Central
When the reporter fires back that Bell helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for President Obama’s re-election campaign, which may have been one of the main reasons she was given the post, Press Secretary Earnest says: “I was not involved in this decision making process, but I can tell you the reason that she was chosen was that the president has complete confidence in her ability to represent the United States in that country.” Meanwhile on TV in his own send-up of the Bell appointment, Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart said he felt sorry for the press secretary who has the worst job in our nations capital, stating, “How much does that guy (Secretary Earnest) just want to reach over and tag out?” Stewart said Wednesday night, after playing a clip from the press conference. “That is the greatest thing I have ever seen the president’s press secretary do,” Stewart said. “His entire job — his only job — is built around trying not to go, ‘Hey, look, I just f**ing work here.'”

Courtesy/ComedyCentral
Also, host/comedian Stephen Colbert riffed on the appointment of Bell on his show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central this past Thursday night. He even started his send-up with, “I love our nations ambassadors. What can I say, I’m an “ambassman”. That’s why I’ve been following the senate confirmation of the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. The President’s nominee got a lot of attention for being a ‘Bold’ choice, but also a ‘Beautiful’ one.” Colbert goes into a a clip package, and later goes into how producing on The Bold and the Beautiful is the perfect training ground for Bell to become the ambassador to Hungary. He goes on to say, “Hungary is a region rife with drama and the constant threat of violence. Exactly the situation the Forrester family routinely handles from their palacious estate while simultaneously running their fashion empire.”
Watch the clips below. The first from Washington Post TV of the press conference with Press Secretary Josh Earnest, and then the segments on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. Then weigh-in on your thoughts to this: Do you think Colleen is being unfairly judged by her association with the soaps, (which always people deem to poke fun at), when it appears that many appointments to ambassadorships in this country have to do with those who have contributed major funds to help in re-elections or elections?
I’m with Senator McCain on this. Although President Obama isn’t the first president to hand out ambassadorships as prizes, I believe it is ill advised.
Why is there just “outrage” now? From what I believe there have been many ambassadors that have been actors, writers, (basically in show business) what is it about Colleen Bell that bothers them so much?
She admitted she had no idea what interests the USA has in Hungary. Not even sure why she wanted the appointment…a vacation maybe? Tell me how she IS qualified?
There are no real qualifications to be an ambassador. What most presidents look for is someone’s ability to at least represent U.S. interests well in the country they are going to, and be a trusted conduit for information between said country & the U.S. State Dept. Ambassadors don’t negotiate any formal deals. That’s the job the Secretary of State & POTUS. Where Bell is so lacking is that she couldn’t even do what most high school students can – which is B.S. their way through a simple Q&A. Did she even look at a friggin map of Europe? If she did, she should have been able to tell Senator McCain that U.S. interests in Hungary are to help them be strong against Russian aggression pushing westward into the former Soviet bloc territories. I mean, good God – this is basic 20th century American history – the century this woman was born in! Did she not notice ANYTHING that went on, like, oh, the fall of Russian communism. You don’t have to be a member of any party to be able to put 2+2 together. Just observant & more than a little intelligent.
She is a joke. I had to laugh when Josh Earnest spoke about her achieving great success in the private sector. She would probably be at a cashier desk in Macy’s if not for her family connections. I was surprised the reporter did not have a comeback for “chief liar” Earnest. As someone of Eastern European descent, I am offended that someone with her lack of knowledege of the significance of Eastern Europe in global affairs will be ambassador to a country of such significance.
Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report and Jon Stewart of The Daily Show are more than awesome! And- both are right on!
ALL presidents have assigned non-qualifications persons as ambassadors to whatever countries for whatever their reasons, it is comely done..
Soaps are always made fun of and used as material for comedians and all others to ridicule with campy sarcasm…
Soaps are seen as being unintelligent wacky stuff lol so a writer/producer of a soap opera could be seen as unintelligent also to put out such nonsense..
and the congress would see a soap opera as stupid stuff and reflecting the as same of the writer/producer LOL
Appointing Bell an ambassador position is a soap opera in itself LOL ..
Her lack of the significance of Eastern Europe knowledge is only matched by Obama’s lack of presidential leadership knowledge
As a Canadian I can”t really say one way or another about her qualifications , but I got a real kick from both Jon Stewart and Colbert stating why their video cannot be seen in Canada– usually there is just some bland statement about the video not being available,so I really enjoyed the humor they injected into it. I had a good laugh.
Why is this on a board about soap operas ? I could really care less about Colleen Bell she is of no interest to me we had the discussion a few days ago about Senator McCains comments enough. Let’s quit beating a dead horse she is a woman who has a lot of money and nothing between the ears I thought we had established that. Move On!!!!
k/kay..
This is Michael Fairman site, we are his guests..
Michael can put up anything he deems interesting..
Colleen Bell is an important soap opera person and it relates to her new career..
It is appropriate imo ..
The same as any soap person and their new projects and career moves..
🙂
Yes it is and if he did not appreciate my comment he would not post it. I stand by my statements tired of hearing about CB. We discussed her appointment and we all know why she got it and bloody fine just fatigued out with this. Tired of hearing about racism, homophobia, politics just would like o escape once in a while. 🙁
And you will be glad to know I am not going to read the comments anymore it has become childish this back and forth bantering. Not very healthy.
I guess she qualifies due to B&B airing in Hungary!
I guess this was Brad Bell’s way of writing her off the show! The most creative idea he has had yet. Is he taking credit for it?
It does seem that the position was bought & even the press secretary is dismayed by this report. However that said, don’t you have to live in the country for which you are ambassador? I suppose that’s one way to have a marriage :/
Ha Ha
News
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now

The one and only Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) dropped in to see her former co-stars on The Bold and the Beautiful at their Sunset Las Palmas Studio in Hollywood, along with her good friend and another B&B co-star Ian Buchanan (ex-James Warwick) on Tuesday October 20.
It was the first time in a very long time that The four-time Daytime Emmy winning actress was reunited with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, Jennifer Gareis and even her TV sister, Alley Mills (Pam, B&B now Heather, GH) showed up for the day too!
Flannery played the Forrester matriarch from 1987 until 2012. It was then that after playing the part of Stephanie for 25 years that Susan made the decision to retire from acting and in one of the most heartbreaking sendoffs, passes away from lung cancer in Brooke’s arms in November of 2012. During her B&B tenure, Flannery won 3 of her 4 Daytime Emmys, the other being for her first soap role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives back in 1975.

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
As for Ian Buchanan, he played Dr. Warwick, psychiatrist, from 1993 to 1999. He returned for other runs in 2014 and 2017. Buchanan took home his Daytime Emmy in 1997 for his work as James. Soap fans also remember, Ian as mobster Duke Lavery on General Hospital, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children,
Both Susan and Ian shared their thoughts on coming back to The Bold and the Beautiful, for Susan 14 years later since he exited and for Ian close to 9 years since his last appearance below.
Susan said, “It’s definitely like coming home in a way, even though it’s not the same studio. It’s really lovely to see old faces and old faces with new faces. It takes you back mentally. You start remembering what it was like back then, even things like how much your feet would ache at the end of the day from wearing six-inch heels. It was just lovely to be back and see everybody.”

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
Ian expressed, “It’s a mind trip, you know. When I was sitting looking at the big Forrester set, it was like stepping back in time, almost. It takes you back mentally, and you start remembering what it was like when you were here before.”
“It’s lovely to see all these people again, even if you don’t know everybody,” explained soap vet Buchanan. “There’s something really special about coming back and seeing the show and the people who have been part of it for so long.”
So, happy to see Susan and Ian with some of their former castmates? Do you think Stephanie and Brooke is one of the greatest frenemy stories in daytime history? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.
In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.
Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

PhotoL JPI
THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA
Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”
However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”
Beyond the Gates is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey.
Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.
So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
-

Beyond the Gates2 days agoTabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
-

Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days agoDays of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
-

Previews5 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
-

General Hospital7 days agoWil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud
-
News1 week agoY&R’s Jason Thompson and Courtney Hope to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel













