Breaking News
Y&R Phyllis Shocker: Michelle Stafford Returns While Gina Tognoni Departs
There are many changes afoot at The Young and the Restless with its new head creative team of Anthony Morina and Josh Griffith. In a major casting turnabout Daytime Emmy-winner, Michelle Stafford is exiting General Hospital and her role of Nina, and returning to the role that made her soap-famous, that of Phyllis Summers in Genoa City
According to a report from Daytime Confidential that broke late Saturday afternoon; multiple sources are citing that Daytime Emmy-winner Gina Tognoni was let go by the CBS Daytime drama series, and one source reporting, Michelle’s contract negotiations came to an impasse over at General Hospital.
Tognoni took over the role of Phyllis five years ago in 2014, while Stafford wound up on GH.
There is no word yet on what GH’s plans are for the role of Nina Cassadine with the exit of Stafford.
Michelle started at The Young and the Restless back in 1994 and played Phyllis till 1997, and then returned for a longer run from 2000-2013.
So, what do you think of this surprising turn events putting Michelle Stafford back at Y&R? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Nooooo. Ive watched YR for decades. I remember when Phyllis came on the show. Gina is definitely the best Phyllis
I never liked Phyllis until Gina replaced Michelle. She made it her own and better
SHE SURE DID, AWESOME !!!!!
Amen Liz, totally agree with you.
Me too! and I just got used to the switch. Gina is much better in either role. I just don’t get Michelle Stafford
Hey,DeAnn,
That’s your opinion, of course, and I respect that….however, Stafford created the character, which demanded certain characteristics. She completed the role.
Phyllis represented a combination of confusion, mischief, scheming, love, fidelity, betrayal, femme fatale; all bundled into one. Unabashed!!
She never skipped a beat…..she came a long way….yet, her impish nature was always around the corner.
Gina completely divested Phyllis of those integral attributes which I anticipated seeing in every episode, with bated breath—and the sexiness!!!!!!!! Something which Gina never mastered.
Gina would be best at a more sedate role–Hard to imitate perfection. LOL.
I agree with u Celia! She was my fav female on the show & nobody is a better Phyllis than Michelle! When is she coming back? Any news on her debut date?
Michelle as Phyllis is unconquerable, Debra! Glad to see her fans peek through and not be afraid to speak up. As far as I’m concerned, albeit she won an Emmy for the role, Gina was mediocre as Phyllis, for me…..at best.
I’m not sure when Michelle will re-take the role….can’t be fast enough, for me.❤️
So well put Celia.
Thank you, Mich.❤️
Both actresses are magnificent in their roles. But when you look at the intensity of Gina Tognoni’s acting in the role of Phyllis, as a fan i feel the betrayal. She deserves to be applauded, not fired. I hope GH grabs her. And I hope she wins many more emmys.
I agree with Maybeth Lichaa exactly. When Gina took over that role of Phyllis it took me awhile to get used to her but wow, after a bit she took on that role with such a passion. She made it her own and had excelled by leaps and bounds. I love Michelle in that role as well, but Gina doesn’t deserve to be fired. She is an amazing actress. I hope someone snags her and she wins more awards. I will Gina Tognoni!!!!!
Ditto, she has been awesome in the role of Phyllis.
Cold business decision from Y&R and I would think long and hard before accepting a job that gets another person fired. Soap industry is small. I feel sad for Gina. She came in and received two Emmy noms and won one.
They probably made Ms. Stafford an offer she couldn’t refuse. She was really never the star she was on Y&R.
You hit the nail on the head there, Violet! Nina was never really accepted by many GH viewers…she was an interloper who simply did not fit into the canvas, no matter how mightily that gargantuan task was tried. In addition, there are a few other female characters portrayed by actresses with huge fanbases whose efforts regularly surpass MS in terms of popularity and accolades and I don’t think this went down at all well with her. There can only be one queen bee in a hive at any given time, and the competition for that crown at GH remains alive and fierce..
Totally agree
What if Gina came and played Nina…Willow is her daughter so they are going to have to recast
Jim–I like that idea. Besides, Willow looks like Gina. Gina has an inherent sweetness and earthy sweetness about her which Stafford does not. Gina might make a great Nina!!
I started a joke, which seems to be developing legs, Jimmy. After Kiki died, my hope of her being Nina’s daughter died with her……but, I replied to you, at that time, that Willow would be the best substitute. I even suggested twins!! ( Kiki and Willow? Willow and Sasha?) LOL. I guess we are of a mind!!
If true; it would be one plot-line I’d welcome ……with Tognoni at the helm. She’d be perfect!!
i wanted Gina in the role originally…
Gina was the best and she was definitely a great looking gal.
This is such a shock. I loved MS as Phyllis and was upset when she left. BUT much to my own surprise, Gina T. had me hooked from her first day. I love her; she’s made the role her own and this is unfair to her after 5 years. Furthermore, MS left Y&R of her own accord because she had had enough of playing Phyllis. What are TPTB thinking???
I so agree, while Michelle was great as Phyllis Gina made it her own and will be missed. Her and Josh Morrow were good together and that will also be missed.
Bobby,Jennifer & Carolyn, i respectfully disagree. There will never be a better Phyllis than MS! I have waited 5 yrs for her to come back! Gina was good if i didn’t think of her as Phyllis, but nobody is Phyllis except Michelle! Cn’t believe she’s back!
I suspect Y&R has offered her more $$$ money and better perks, CBS/Y&R can afford it..
I personally like Michelle better as Phillis than Nina,,
so- I’m fine with her jumping..
Things back as they should be! I never liked Michelle as Nina, And Gina was ok, but not Phyllis to me!
I tolerated the stupid story line where Victor kidnapped Jack and replaced him with a man surgically altered to look like Jack. I tolerated the firing of Doug Davidson. I even tolerated Ashley’s criminal behavior towards Jack. However, the firing of Gina who, in my opinion, was brilliant in the role of Phyllis is the final nail in the coffin. I am done watching Young and the Restless.
I agree. I am finished with YR. The dirty way certain stars are treated. Gina gave 5 years of her life to this role. By far the most talented and most Beautiful woman to ever play Phyllis.
I would love to get the perspective from a Young & Restless “insider” as to what really happened and why Gina was replaced? Gina was fabulous. I, too, have lost interest in the show with the head-scratching storylines. I just stopped watching.
Ditto, dumb move by TPTB.
General Hospital wasted Michelle so no surprise she left. I like Gina,but she’s not Phyllis
GH “wasted Michelle?” She was in front burner stories from the minute they signed her on… from her cray cray days (kidnapping Ava, her baby, etc) to Franco’s love interest to Valentin’s and now the long lost daughter story. She had a fabulous gig at GH; not sure what you’re referring to.
I think GH didn’t quite know how to write for Nina! Was she a villaness? A vixen? A victim? Michelle suffered for it! She’ll be utilized better as Phyllis on Y&R.
GH suffered for it! Bringing MS on board was a very expensive and risky gamble for the showrunners, and quite simply, they lost! Hence the ongoing five-year experiment to reinvent Nina by constantly shoving her under the spotlight when there was no discernible purpose for her to logically be in that vaunted position. Her razor-thin storyline should have begun and ended as a spoiler in the Silas-Sam romance. Once Dr. Clay was killed, Nina should have been sent packing…or tumbling down the stairs back to a coma or Hades. I would have preferred the latter!
I so agree with you, Don. Stafford started out at Y&R much the same way as Nina…..but , did she ever WOW me!!….Perhaps my impressionable age had a lot to do with it. I saw a goddess!!
No imitation will ever do for me. This is not dissing Gina, by any means….but, I never accepted her as Phyllis. Not her fault!! We love whom we love!!
Celia, you are absolutely correct! MS made that role her own & i saw her much the same as u did. Nobody can play Phyllis like MS!
rebecca1
I tend to agree with you, although I am one of the few who doesn’t care for M.S. But I think they utilized her well. I said in another post, that she wasn’t the star she was on Y&R, but I think I meant it to mean, in her own eyes, where as to me she was a one trick pony, but as you pointed out, she’s had many SL’s on GH. Does this make any sense to you?
Completely agree!
GH didn’t waste Michelle, it’s just that Nina was unnecessary on the canvas. With Nathan gone, her ties to Maxie and Liesl just aren’t enough. Let the characters leave with Stafford.
Perhaps she will be given a one-way ticket to “Wisconsin!”
I disagree……. I loved the Nina, Valentin, Maxie. Sasha and Leisel storylines. I am so disappointed. I hope that they recast Nina.
Yeayyyyy, robert!!❤️
You are right!
I like the Phyliss now. To many changes
the new regime is making major changes and more are probably coming
She was the best phyllis ever.
I am not happy, but wonder who will be the unlucky man she will be paired up with. Can not see Billy with this big blustery, in your face person, but Nick has had the honors before, so hopefully he’s gearing up for the onslaught. Good luck to us all!
Violet, I think this signals “Red’s” path back to Jack. And now that Kerrible is gone, Jack is free to go back to his Red.
Gina is a great actress but I personally just never felt that she fit the role of Nina. I didn’t feel it. Sorry to hear she lost her job. Maybe she can come on over to GH, but certainly not as Nina. Michelle has to do what’s right for her. Will miss her on GH. Good luck to both.
Typo…I meant that Gina never fit the role of Phyllis!
Michelle created Phyllis……she’s the best!!!
❤️….Best answer, Joe!!
BEST news ever for Y&R ! No one has ever captured the seductive, evil essence of Phyllis like Michelle Stafford. Plus the chemistry between Stafford and Peter Bergman is virtually off the charts. Ditto with Nick, Christine and Danny. Enormous potential for great story telling. Hallelujah!!
BEST news ever for GH!!!!! MS’s Nina never belonged in Port Charles! Although I hope the character is killed off, if that is not meant to be, it should be interesting to see if another actress makes Nina any more palatable…
Can she take Frodd with her?
The character was never needed, so they don’t need to bother with a recast. They should kill Nina off, and find a way to take Frodd & Ava out at the same time.
Shay & Satan…No more funerals please. We just went through Kiki, and are already getting set up for a possible one with Oscar. Plus the writers haven’t put Morgan to a final rest yet. Just let Nina take a long, long cruise somewhere far away.
Morgan isn’t really dead….. just a matter of time before they bring him back. Obviously it will be a recast, so hopefully they’re taking their time to find somebody worthy of the part.
As far as Oscar goes, I’m not convinced he’s actually going to die. They made a point of mentioning the fact that experimental treatments for cancer have been made from mutating viruses. Then a few weeks later, you have that mysterious “blind virus” targeting all the previously brain mapped identical twins. And one set of those twins just happen to be Oscar’s dad & uncle – so they are presumably compatible blood donors. They didn’t bring that virus plot in just so Anna could get a surprise visit from her twin sister, or so Drew could give the commissioner a dead kidney while temporarily blind. There had to be a more useful purpose for this virus…. and it’s going to be pulling Oscar back from the brink of death.
Of course this kind of medical research is going to cost money. We know Jax is coming back soon… maybe Joss appeals to him to fund the research? (Not that Sonny, Drew, Jason, and Monica aren’t all loaded with cash themselves, but every little bit helps)
Satan…Leave it to “Satan” to give us hope for Oscar. Morgan has probably been a pawn on the writing board just in case. And then there’s Carly who is pregnant. I don’t even want to think what they can do with this story.
Rose, love the way you phrase things. Yes, leave it to Satan to give us hope for humanity. Oh the irony! I don’t want Oscar to die–life has been rather dark lately and watching a child die on a soap opera is not entertaining. Stone had to die because it gave attention to the AIDS cause and BJ had to die because it gave attention to organ donation. There is no good reason for Oscar to die–it would be gratuitous and I won’t watch. I suspect I am not the only one who feels this way and this could drive down ratings. I also feel bad for Billy Miller who has been handed watered down, depressing writing since Burton came back to reclaim his role as Jason. Miller said once in an interview that playing the father of a little girl who is killed by a hit and run on Y&R took an emotional toll on him. And here he is faced with the same situation.
@harry … I completely agree! We just had to watch Kiki die. That was horrible. I wont watch Oscar die.
Perhaps a “Rosemary’s Baby”-style storyline,,, Rose?????
Oh dear, Rose! You made us sound like some soap supercouple from the Netherworld! Lol…Having said that, I understand your aversion to so manyt funerals…especially when they are for such young and vital characters. But some others are just so annoying and unnecessary that one cannot help but hope they will be permanently put out of their misery…For me, Nina fits that description to a “T.”
If they bring back Morgan I’m definitely done with GH
Yes…too many funerals at GH lately especially for young folks. This is getting old.
Satan. Can’t Frood and Nina just sail off to the island of misfit soap characters?
Agreed, Satan…GH has the really off-putting habit of bidding adieu to popular characters—like Kiki and Griffin, perhaps Oscar next?—-whilst keeping the most polarizing ones around long past their due date…Nina is definitely one of those, along with Franco, Ava, Parking Lot Pete and Alexis.
Unfortunately Nina will be around when she learns Willow is her daughter…i want Ryan to return then kill them both off…
Yes!! Totally agree! I am SO looking forward to some killer promos about her return! CAN’T WAIT!!!
I think I love you, Bradley, LOL…..Stafford is a siren—-agreed!!
Every sexual interaction with her counterparts took my breath away. Michelle will forever have that elusive, innate “Je ne sais quoi” factor.
As my husband says; “Every pore speaks of sex”…..LOL
Furthermore, to my point ( as yours), she brings it home each and every time—-I did not see that with Gina. Howver, some people accepted Gina, as you can see, more so than Michelle.
Gina is a brilliant actress, afterall…..it’s a matter of preference.
If Phyllis goes back to Jack; she will need to color her hair back to Red!! LOL—-yet, I think he has lost his mojo……
Phyllis is too vibrant—too much of a femme fatale, just under the surface…….the most God-evoking, never-stop sex, was with Ronan…..never have I seen such on any soap that did not turn me off.
PS—I started writing a few sentences, when I accidentaly pressed on something, where my post disappeared. So, I apologize to all if this is a “semi-double” post.
❤️
OOPS: Oh, God-invoking. LOL…..
One word can make a huge difference!! Evoking God?? Nah—what an image!!
I firgot to mention Christine—-TPTB need to soften the character….at least when at home.
Now that Paul is back, there should be a storyline focusing on this couple.
Why not have another baby? Every other woman ( even after menopause, LOL) on soaps conceive…..by the grace of God?? Why not Cricket?
Nick will go back to Sharon—or vice versa—Rey will eventually disappear into the sunset, waving bye, bye, anyway…
WOW! I’d think this April Fool’s Day but that is not until Monday, and the daytime drama world is serious show business. This news leaves me conflicted. Michelle Stafford created Phyllis and made her vibrant. Gina Tognoni was amazing in a very challenging recast and was embraced and awarded for her talent and hard work. I do hope Y&R finds its way. It remains my favorite soap opera despite that Maria Arena Bell era, Jill Faren Phelps’s upset, and several recent rough storylines (botched human trafficking plot, the breakup of the Abbott family, the Pretty Little Liars rip off). Legacy characters have been dispatched. Actors come and go, including some beloved vets. Please new team, take stock of what everyone has done in the last 20 years, sort it out, right longstanding wrongs (Jill and Lauren should not be half-sisters!) and commit to some things that cannot be undone (Nikki’s multiple sclerosis, Dina’s ALzheimer’s, Cane’s son with Juliet) a long-term future for this landmark program that makes sense. I know Adam is coming back (more mixed feelings for me!), and I will accept that. The death of Kristoff St. John, and Neil Winters, may tie together the Winters family again. Maybe that can correct the unpopular additions of the Rosaleses. Just right the ship and craft some compelling stories involving legacy characters and incorporating vets with strong nod to history. I am on board! Let’s go!
Iakovos, very well said and agree with you on all your comments……I feel bad for Gina and wish her nothing but the best but in my opinion Michelle is Phyllis…
Best take so far on what has happened and what needs to happen.
Iakovos…very good overview of the plight that can affect our soaps, their legacies and characters. Now that Nina/Michelle is leaving GH, hope tptb take a long look at what’s working and what’s not because in many ways it has lost it’s way, too. And it’s hard to even call it GH anymore.
@Rose…You are so right!!! GH has really lost its identity over the past five years or so….There has been far too much emphasis on newfangled characters who have little to nothing to do with the show’s history, so that even when the writers do manage to create a storyline revisiting the soap’s glorious past (like the recent Kevin/Ryan one…) they still overpopulate the plots with people who have no true business being involved whilst simultaneously relegating the deserving legacy players to supporting roles. Laura should have been front and center in her husband’s tale of misplaced brotherly loyalty which caused so much misery for the people of Port Charles—-along with Scorpio, Anna, Mac, Felicia, et al—but instead, we were treated to more Ava, Nina and Franco, not to mention, the usual over-emphasis of Sonny, Carly and their ilk.
Hey, Shay….this is deja-vu…..we’ve been here before. Actors retire—we cannot expect them to stay on forever—some pass away; some veer towards other venues.
I have made this point before—-soaps are revolving doors–actors come and go.
There needs to be some room made for the younger, aspiring thespians.
While it is “fabulistic” seeing veteran actors; I welcome new faces; talent. I may not like a few; yet, these actors/actresses need to start somewhere. New characters bring new plotlines—-many stories have become frustratingly stale. I am over the Ryan/Kevin extravaganza, —the writing has been compelling (albeit, a touch implausible) , and the performance, by the chosen few, has been impeccable.
I do agree that I’d rather see Mac and Felicia ( and never tire of seeing Genie) than Sonny and Carly. By the same token, I love Laura Wright—-I think she is one of the best, most authentic actresses in daytime.
Wonderful Take, Iakovos! Guess the Greek in you helps with your handle on this type of storytelling…..
I have been dreaming if this for years!!!! Huge props to the fabulous Tognoni, but Stafford IS Phyllis!! Such an enormous cous for my favorite show! So excited!!!
It stinks love her on GH as Nina
Michelle left Y&R on her own. I don’t think this is the right way to treat Gina.
I am sure they door was left open for her, if ever the time was right.
Michelle fled “Y & R” due to then-EP Jill Farren Phelps, as did a few other cast members – NOW BRING BACK BILLY MILLER AS BILLY ABBOTT!!!
Bart
I just read a little rumour of that happening, especially after losing Oscar. Even if he gets his memories restored, what will Drew be like? I do like the the Billy we have now, but would welcome back Billy Miller in any role.
Yes, Bart!! Billy Miller is da-man!! Enough of Thompson….I place him alongside Tognoni….great actors; wrong roles.
I am waiting for Nina and Lance and Ronan!! Yeah!!
Nina was a major yawn for her entire run in Port Chuck. The character just never worked.
the writing was bad
Sorry, gang—I loved Gina playing Phyllis. Yes, Michelle is famous for doing the role for all the years she did but she left and Gina had me hooked with her portrayal of the character. I’m not thrilled by this.
Same here … I did like MS and was disappointed when she left. But Gina had me hooked on Day #1 (much to my own surprise). Love her and hate that this is happening. Cannot understand the reason for this decision.
MY FIRST THOUGHT – is worrying about Jason Patrick Stuart’ Mr. Valentin w/Charlotte.
could this be the time @GH Shelly AND Chris step up their game.. AND Anna is stimulated
Anna is brought back to life ???? COME ON ! Frank VAlentini… you are losing every thing.. it’s only a matter of time. Your job is done, here. you are not remembered for any thing.. other than keeping budget. no imagination.. no depth… no insight… no dreams
Patrick
Wouldn’t mind losing Valentin and his little uppity daughter, but would like to see Anna brought back to life. Who would have been called Matta Hari, but is now more Jessica Fletcher, whom I loved, but they lived by a different code and M.O.
So excited Michelle is coming back! I like Gina, but no one can “out-Phyllis” Michelle!!
This may be good news for Y&R fans but not for those of us who love her as Nina on GH. I was completely thrown by this out-of-the-blue soapy news and will miss “Nina.” Michelle originated the role and IS Nina; can’t imagine another. So disappointed…
There will be a recast…Nina will find out Princess Willow is her daughter…
I know what you mean, rebecca. It sort of rubs me the wrong way to hear so many negatives about my fave actress. but, it is what it is. I think Michelle can breathe life into any role…..even with the most pitiful, hopeless endeavor.
I am sorry to lose Nina, but I will gain Phyllis, LOL. so, my disappointment isn’t as great as yours. I know you truly appreciated Nina.
@CeeCeeGirl…I call this one a win-win situation where we are both concerned! You get your precious Phyllis back where you first became so besotted with MS and I can actually look forward to watching GH again…sans Nina, or at least, Nina as we now know her! Everybody may not be happy, but I know I’m celebrating and you seem to be pretty happy, too!!!! Que sera sera…..
YES, bella!!❤️
All I can say is It’s about time!
Gina was treated poorly. you should not fire someone who won you lead actress emmy
This was surprising news to come online and read late on a Saturday night, right when I was about to start my binge of this past week’s GH.
I may be in the minority among GH fans on this forum, but I enjoyed Michelle Stafford as Nina. Granted, I liked the character more when she first came on the show and was playing “Crazy Nina”, but I really liked the on screen chemistry she had with James Patrick Stuart, Kirsten Storms, Kathleen Gati, Roger Howarth, Maura West, among others. It’s a shame to see her go. Don’t know if they’ll kill Nina off, send her out of town, or recast the role. Hell, maybe they’ll hire Gina Tognoni as the new Nina. That might just cause the internet soap community to implode as we know it, lol.
I’m not sure what’s going on over at ABC. Seems like they’re penny pinching Frank V. and company right down to the last nickel. You’re always hearing about them having difficult contract negotiations with GH actors. It’s why Tyler Christopher left, it happened with Roger Howarth, William deVry, Rebecca Herbst, can’t even remember them all off the top of my head. None the least of which was their deplorable treatment of Genie Francis. Makes me very uneasy about the long-term future of the show.
yes I thought about that, Gina playing Nina but I’m so used to her portraying a strong sophisticated woman not naive like Nina, but she is good actress she could pull it off.
I’m of the mindset that Nina is not needed on the canvas, however, if they must recast (even temporarily) I’d recommend Frank call Susan Haskell if he’s still on speaking terms with her.
Bren
I never thought of Nina being naive before, but I guess in a way she is. I’ve thought of her as the spoiled rich girl, being in that coma for twenty years, then coming back to a world, where nothing has changed for her too much. She usually gets what she wants, and can pay for it, no matter the cost to others. I think that’s why she accepts and fosters Charlotte’s behavior. She probably sees herself the same way forty years ago.
If GT does come to GH, she’d fit in as Sarah Webber and not Nina.
Yay! Phyllis will be fun again!
Well, this is a bit of a surprise. I don’t think anyone saw this one coming. I liked Gina’s version of Phyllis a lot better than Michelle’s version. It’s just too bad that this casting switch had to come at the expense of Gina being let go from Y&R. I hope she lands on her feet soon and has another job soon.
Estactic to have the real Phyllis back however Ginas Phyllis won me over at the end
Her colder version of Phyllis didnt have the same playful sexy fun over the top style Michelle gave which imo is the essense of Phyllis. But Gina s Phyllis was impossible to take your eyes off of during the Philly affair year and most recently her betraying the other girls and the town turning on her.
I wonder what will happen to Philly with Michelle back as Gina and Jason s Billy have undeniable chem.
Pls put her right away in scenes with Jack, Billy, Nick, Sharon and plsss Christine. Lol
On a side note i think the way the switch was done was unclassy. Gina deserves better. Over the years i ve noted y n r does not handle firings approp. I remember how horrible they treated Adriannes Colleen which i adored and replaced her with the last one until she ultimatly was killed off. All because of weight gain. And her costar Davettas firing to make way for the original Lily’lite’. I prefer both girls version much better than the firings replacements.
YR has lost me as a viewer. What a disgusting, disrespectful move! I hope another show will pick up Gina quickly. She’s ten time the actress Stafford is or will ever be!
Sherri…Y-E-S…THANK YOU!!!!! To me, Gina Tognoni can play ANY ROLE…PERIOD!!!!!
Later.
Yes She Can
What does it really matter what we think? Y’all have already made the decision and replaced her with Michelle. I loved Michelle as Nina and Gina as Phyllis. Why the change?
I dont’ watch Y&R but I have been a fan of Gina since her days at OLTL. She is an amazing actor and beyond that a truly nice person. She takes the time every year to send a private message to her FB friends on their birthday. How many actors do that?!? I think it’s pretty lousy that they would fire her because the original actor became available. That said, I do watch GH, where Michelle is currently on cast. I am very surprised to hear she is leaving. Her portrayal of Nina is great. She created that character as well and it’s hard to think of someone as a replacement. It’s a dog-eat-dog world in show biz!
love gina but she is not the best phyliss that would be michelle stafford business is business i wish the best for gina michelle will jump right back in and any one who thinks gina was better probably thinks darvita was better as lily and no she wasn;t either
Richard,regarding Darvita, as you know that a lot of people did think that Darvita was a better Lily and I totally agree, she wasn’t…I thought that recast was one of the worst and was so happy when Christel returned…I think Gina and Michelle are both great actresses and I feel so bad for Gina but like I mentioned before I feel that Michelle is a better Phyllis but I was used to her…on a side note, I never got used to Jess Walton as Jill, for me Brenda Dickson was the best Jill and of course the original…Also in my opinion noone could ever replace Jaime Lyn Bauer as Lorie Brooks….
New head creative team of Anthony Morina and Josh Griffith idiots! You get rid of the best actresses of our time in daytime, really? Your are idiots, CBS what are you think of allowing this fools to do this?
Just plain crappy and that’s not the word I like to say on here!
This is certainly not the first time something like this has happened in soap land (original or previous performer coming back to reclaim a former role and displacing a recast in the process), but I still am pretty aghast at how disrespectful this is to Gina T. It was definitely a mistake to let someone of Michelle Stafford’s caliber and long standing with the show leave in the first place, and her departure should have been a quick sign to CBS and Sony that JFP was going to be detrimental to the show (but CBS and Sony never learn, do they?). That said, Stafford left of her own accord, and I find it very hard to accept that the show has chosen to address its mistake of five years ago in this particular way–by making another one, and I’d say this one is worse, because this ISN’T happening of Tognoni’s own accord. It’s just an ugly way to run things, and although I find Stafford very talented, and she can certainly step back into the role of Phyllis effortlessly, I’m not sure that she adds so much to the show that she’s worth this kind of ugly maneuver. Sigh. I hope the phenomenally talented Ms. Tognoni lands somewhere else soon.
I have an idea. Cast Gina in the role of Nina on GH. Then sit back watching Gina give everyone on the GH set a Master Class in acting on a daily basis.
There’s only one way that would make sense…..
And that is the fact that they have been very clearly building up to Willow being Nina’s daughter. Willow and Gina Tognoni at least have a slight resemblance to pass as mother & daughter, where she doesn’t have any credible resemblance to Michelle Stafford at all.
Other than that, there’s no reason to keep the Nina character at all. Not a Y&R viewer, so I can’t speak to Gina’s acting, though I do hope she can find work elsewhere. Probably not on GH though, since the cast is bloated enough as it is. Realistically, she probably shouldn’t go to Days either, since they have more than enough newbies (typical side effect of ReRon writing a soap).
Maybe she can get some work in prime time? It’s about to be “pilot season” so she should be able to find work on that basis, and hope something gets picked up.
i accept the recast. no problem with it at all. that’s classic us soap opera. love hearing the voice over say “the roll of whatshisname is now being played by Whosis”. have loved gina since she was dina on GL. my only issue with her is that she appeared younger than the phyllis i was used to. it will be great to have MS back. Good luck to Gina T!
This news is not good, Gina gets fired because Michelle wants to come back to Y&R. Michelle last stint in 2013, was terrible all she did was cry scream and a total diva too. I feel bad for Gina, she was on for 5 years and I loved her as Phyllis. Rumors out there, that there are more changes on the way. They should bring back Tricia Cast as Nina Webster. Get rid of Cricket slash Christine, cannot stand that witch.
Gina was great as Phyllis. She made that role her own. I hate to see her go!! Job well done Gina!!!
I don’t know but it seem ever since Gina took over the role the character has been in a perpetual bad mood– she always looks pissed off, even when she supposed to be in a love scene. GT had the character’s toughness down, but not her softness– MS will bring back the goofy, loving side– and I can’t wait to get my drinking game going again ever time MS has Phyllis say “Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me” LOL
Best news ever!!!!!! Stafford is and always will be my fave soap star!! THE real Phyllis is bound to kick some butt.
I am also looking forward to seeing Victoria Rowell—yeah!! Love you, Victoria!!
Gina can play Nina…she got to find out Willow is her daughter…or maybe Ryan kills them both off!!!!
Cady McClain would make a good Nina
I would have agreed with you on that matter five years ago, Mike! In fact, I always envisioned Nina as a McClain sort of femme when she was mentioned so woefully by Silas…someone delicate, rather slight of build and ethereal….nothing like the Nina MS presented to Port Charles! However at this late date, I would really prefer that this unwelcome character becomes just a bad distant memory from when GH initially ran off the rails and headed toward the trainwreck it has now become.
Hi, Shaybelle,
You don’t find MS svelte?…. she’s no heifer……what do you mean slight of build? She is of delicate constitution, in my opinion.
I suppose it’s how we perceive a person. I envy her height–and she has a mouth-agape-kind-of-body….
I welcome Michelle on Y&R—-no one can replace her.
And, while she was front and center as Nina, I always thought she was restricted, as far as her storylines and individuality. I abhored how she succumbed to Valentin in a hearbeat–all her huff ‘n puff posturing, to tame the insidious beast, was for naught—-such gimmicks make a character appear useless, disingenuous, submissive and indecisive. She lost the reins on her life. Very sexist of the writers!! Women are able to do just fine without that, oh-so-strong, macho-man-shoulder. Moral and emotional support would have been more the thing.
I will keep stressing this fact–as I have been continuously doing throughout Gina Tognoni’s tenure as Phyllis.
I love Gina, but she stripped that special, intrepid fiber encompassing all the good and bad qualities which made Phyllis Summers, Phyllis.
If only Jeff Branson would join Michelle; my world would rock, baby!! LOL.
All’s Well That Ends Well ( pour moi! ) ❤️
You mean Jon Lindstrom’s wife? I LOVE this idea–Cady is an amazing actress and she could succeed where Michelle Stafford failed. Cady is capable of being nuanced.
The “Soap Gods” couldnt have been any nicer to me unless Michael Muhney had returned as Adam! This is great news! Gina NEVER captured the essence of who Phyllis Summers is. Michelle had it down to a T! Phyllis is supposed to me gorgeous, multiplicative BUT also warm and heartfelt. Michelle got it, Gina didnt! PLUS, now GH loses a character that NEVER clicked with their audience. The writers NEVER knew what to do with Nina. Its a win for both soaps!
Couldn’t agree more. Gina’s “Phyllis” seemed perpetually angry and had none of the mischievous fun Michelle brought to the role.
This, to me, is bullshit. Gina Tognoni stepped into the role of Phyllis Summers Romalotti Abbott Newman Abbott and OWNED the role. The fact that Michelle Stafford stated in 2013 that she’d never return seems disingenuous. Tognoni owned this role, made it her own and actually excelled in taking Phyllis to another level that Stafford, in my eyes, was incapable of accomplishing. Does this mean I’m not a Stafford fan? No. I like her, but definitely do not miss her in the role of Phyllis, and find that I will see myself hating the character once again upon the return of her.
Now, people are suggesting that Tognoni replace Stafford at General Hospital, and my response is NO! That would only validate that Tognoni is capable of replacing Stafford in her roles, and she is capable of securing her own damn role. Personally speaking, Tognoni deserves more than the shaft at this point. If anything, she should join Days of Our Lives, which in all actuality, is the most stable in terms of actors.
I am genuinely pissed by this decision, and feel like TPTB at CBS/Sony Pictures Television and The Young and the Restless are making bad decisions right now. 2019 is a mess, thus far, for this soap. Which is a shame.
I often agree with you, Scott (ATWT) and look forward to seeing your posts. I adore Ms. Tognoni. Phyllis was not the problem at Y&R in recent years. It was the writing. Powers seem to think a star in her original role will give better ratings oomph and buzz than a star (Jordi Vilasuso) in a new role. Y&R needs to shore up and craft a long-term bible for the future. I do not feel there is a storyboard even for the rest of 2019 much less 2020 and beyond.
Stafford will only pull in short-term ratings boost, if any at all. No offense to her, but I don’t see her as someone that’s going to pull people back in. Good story worth investing in will bring viewers back in.
BEST STATEMENT: Good story worth investing in will bring viewers back in.
AMEN, Scott (ATWT Fan). Suspense and romance, too. I sometimes sense these writers spark an idea, and move ahead without any consideration of how things will play. Then things meander. And people seem to marry (and divorce!) with no thought. Then it’s not special.
“Then things meander. And people seem to marry (and divorce!) with no thought.”
Unfortunately, that’s kind of what soaps has become about, unfortunately. Or marry, then two days later, you’re with someone else. It’s far too unrealistic, and while soaps are meant to be an exaggerated form of reality, it doesn’t mean everything should be.
WOW! Didn’t see this one coming at all. What a shocker!
Now wouldn’t it be ironic if GH hired Gina to replace Michelle as Nina?!?!
I am super sad as a super fan of GH and of Ms. But, i will restart watching Y&R now. Officially on MS’s fist day. I do hope they recast Nina and i am hoping for Susan Haskell!
Sorry to see Gina go. She’s been a great Phyllis. Have enjoyed BOTH of these fine women.
Noooo! Just weird! Can’t believe they want to even do this! Boo! Y & R
Maybe you deserve her loud loud voice and her
over-acting!
I wish they kept Gina as Phyllis.
This has me both happy and sad. Gina deserves better, but this isn’t a normal situation. Michelle was the original Phyllis, and Phyllis is one of those roles that cannot be duplicated. Phyllis is every woman in the body of one woman. Gina came along and grounded Phyllis. Gina did a phenomenal job, keeping Phyllis front burner and always interesting. BUT Phyllis isn’t a grounded person. She can become unhinged on a dime. She is tempestuous and unpredictable and vulnerable and loyal and loving and DANGEROUS. Phyllis is my favorite character. When Michelle is back onscreen, I know that I will feel that something is right again, not that Gina was wrong. That is what makes this switch so bittersweet. It’s impossible for me to be happy when Gina loses, when she did nothing wrong. She won a freaking Emmy! I pray that Gina’s next role brings her success beyond what she would have had were she not let go from Y&R.
You have personified Phyllis, Vince. When I attempt to describe the character; the words become elusive—-I could never pinpoint her essence—yet, here you are, giving the character life with such ease.
“Phyllis is every woman in the body of one woman”. You get her!! No one can compare, Vince, right??
Does anyone know Ms. Tognoni’s last air date as Phyllis?
Love Gina as Phyllis would love for her to stay on the show. Nothing against Michelle I just believe Gina played the character flawlessly and wish she could continue. She had chemistry with Josh as well and that will also be missed. I wish her all the luck in the future and sure hope to see her soon on another show.
Breaking News
CBS Orders Michele Van Jean Soap Opera ‘The Gates’ to Series; Set to Debut January 2025
Great news! Soap fans are getting the first new daytime drama in 25 years with the news today that CBS has moved Michele Van Jean’s The Gates to a series order.
In addition, the show is set to bow in January 0f 2025, which means that it appears that the new soap will replace The Talk, which was just canceled and will end after its upcoming 15th season in December of 2024. No specific time period, or exact premiere date has been set as of yet.
In the premise of the The Gates it follows lives of a wealthy Black family who live in a luxurious gated community.
Photo: CBS
The Gates has Val Jean as its writer, showrunner and one of its executive producers. Soap fans know Val Jean’s work best for her work on the writing teams of General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful. Taking to X, Michele shared: “It’s go time” citing the news on the show coming to CBS in 2025 via Deadline.
Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner will serve as executive producers on The Gates production team. The soap has been in development through a the joint venture between CBS Studios and the NAACP, which was established to help elevate a diverse range of voices and increase the visibility of Black artists.
The series will be produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP venture in partnership with P&G Studios, which is a division of Procter & Gamble, who used to be very big in the soap opera game.
Are you excited to know that we are truly getting the first new soap opera in over two and a half decades added to a network TV line-up? Comment below.
It’s go time! #TheGates
CBS Orders ‘The Gates’ To Series; Daytime Sudser To Debut In January https://t.co/75KJZWyh3l
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) April 15, 2024
Breaking News
‘The Talk’ Renewed For 15th and Final Season to End in December; Does Its Cancellation Make Room for ‘The Gates’?
Things just got very interesting over at CBS daytime with the announcement today that The Talk is going to end its run on the network after its 15th season, and that season looks to be shortened as the series will come to its conclusion in December of 2024.
In a joint statement, Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment and David Stapf, President, CBS Studio, shared, “The Talk broke new ground when it launched 14 years ago by returning daytime talk to CBS with a refreshing and award-winning format. Throughout the years, it has been a key program on CBS’ top rated daytime line-up as it brought timely, important and entertaining topics and discussions into living rooms around the globe.”
Reisenback and Stapf added, “It goes without saying that hosting and producing a year-round talk show is no easy task, and we express our sincere gratitude to our amazing hosts Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell and Sheryl Underwood, our Executive Producer/Showrunner Rob Crabbe and the hardworking producing team and crew.
Photo: CBS
Giving props to those who co-hosted or worked on the show through the years including: Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen Moonves, Carrie Ann Inaba Leah Ramimi, Marissa Janet Winokur, Holly Robinson Peete, Eve, Aisha Tyler, and Sharon Osbourne, the joint statement added, “We also want to acknowledge our former show hosts and colleagues who contributed throughout the seasons. We truly appreciate the skill, creativity, and dedication everyone involved brought to the show every day. And of course, we thank the numerous guests who appeared, and the millions of viewers who tuned in daily. For the final season, we plan to celebrate the show and give it the proper sendoff it deserves when it concludes in December 2024.”
While no firm decision or announcement has been given at this time, it seems most likely that The Talk’s time slot could be given to the new soap opera in development The Gates from CBS Studio Ventures and from longtime soap opera writer. Michele Val Jean. As previously reported, The Gates features the lives of a wealthy Black family who reside in a posh, gated community.
Photo: JPI
The Talk was originally the brainchild of Sara Gilbert, who had developed the show when it launched back 2010 and it replaced the beloved As the World Turns which went off the air after 54 years when CBS canceled it.
So, what do you think of The Talk being canceled? Will this make room for The Gates to begin to air in its spot beginning in 2025? Share your reactions to the news via the comment section.
Breaking News
O. J. Simpson Dead at 76: Real-Life Murder Trial in Which He Was Acquitted, Changed the Trajectory of Soap Operas
Former Pro Football superstar, O. J. Simpson, who became infamous for being on trial for the murders of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, has passed away at the age of 76 of cancer.
Simpson’s family put out a statement sharing, “Our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
It was the murder trial that overtook the airwaves back in late 1994 and through most of 1995 that changed the landscape of daytime television forever, and in particular soap operas that many will recall.
Photo: AP
On June 12, 1994, Nicole Simpson, O.J.’s former wife, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally murdered. When O.J. became the prime suspect, a wild pursuant of him by the police while in his white Ford Bronco was viewed on every network by some 95 million viewers. This June marks 30-years since the incident.
Ultimately, Simpson was charged with Brown Simpson and Goldman’s murders, though he was acquitted in what was dubbed The Trial of the Century.
The trial permeated the airwaves of every network and any time of day. Networks consistently interrupted soap operas while covering the day in and day out of the spectacle that was this star athlete and TV and film star’s trial.
With many of the soaps pre-empted on a regular basis, the public fascination of Simpson’s trial was to many better than a soap opera as it has all the ingredients. Writer Dominic Dunne noted the themes via an article in Vanity Fair of “interracial marriage, love, lust, lies, hate, fame, wealth, beauty, obsession, spousal abuse, stalking, brokenhearted children, the bloodiest of bloody knife-slashing homicides, and all the justice that money can buy.”
Because of the trial, soap operas lost a significant amount of their audiences. The murder trial went on for 11 months from November 9, 1994, to October 3, 1995. They never were able to fully rebound as reality television became the next big thing.
O.J. Simpson is survived by four children: Arnelle and Jason, from his first marriage, and Sydney and Justin, from his marriage to Nicole Brown Simpson.
So, do you remember being frustrated that your favorite soaps could not air during the O.J. trial, or did you find the murder trial more intriuing than the soaps themselves? Comment below.
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
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General HospitalApril 12, 2024George Russo to Appear on General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo
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Days Of Our LivesApril 13, 2024Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
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General HospitalApril 15, 2024General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
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RecapsApril 14, 2024Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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NewsApril 12, 2024Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’
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Days Of Our LivesApril 14, 2024Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series