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Y&R's 11,000th Episode On Set Celebration: EP Mal Young Touches On Legacy, Vision, & Superlatives Of Top-Rated Soap!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Earlier this week on Thursday, members of the cast of The Young and the Restless along with a bevy of special guests that included: Y&R co-creator Lee Phillip Bell, Y&R EP and head writer, Chuck Pratt Jr, senior executive vp programming at Sony Pictures Television, Steve Kent, who oversees daytime’s Y&R and DAYS, and new Y&R EP Mal Young were all on hand for an afternoon celebration for the series 11,000th episode milestone.
With the number 11,000 made into delicious cupcakes for those to taste, the cast, crew, producers and press gathered together to honor this special moment in the series 43-year-history. Cast in attendance included: Melody Thomas Scott, Tracey E. Bregman, Bryton James, Christel Khailil, Greg Rikaart, Mara McCaffrey, Robert Adamson, Hunter King, Sean Carrigan, Melissa Ordway, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Eric Braeden, Kristoff St. John, Eileen Davidson, Peter Bergman, Gina Tognoni, Jason Thompson, Melissa Claire Egan, Kate Linder, Beth Maitland, Lauralee Bell, Daniel Goddard, and Mishael Morgan.
Viewers of the series witnessed on September 1st the airing of the 11,000th episode of the top-rated daytime drama which featured the tragic turn of events for the exited Justin Hartley’s character of Adam Newman.
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
For this on set celebration on stage 41 at CBS Television City, only two speeches were given: one by Mal Young. and the other by Steve Kent. While Kent recalled how his career lead him to be the champion of the series over at Sony Pictures Television, Young offered up thoughts on being a Brit in charge of Y&R, Bill Bell’s vision, and what makes Y&R most unique and beloved around the world.
Below are some excerpts from the the newest executive producer’s speech as he addressed the cast, press, CBS and Sony executive notables, and more in attendance:
Mal Young: “As the only Brit involved in the history of the show, Y&R is known all over the world. Growing up I knew about it, and heard about it. Recently, my wife (singer, Mari Wilson) was on tour in Jamaica and this woman came over to her and said, ‘Are you Nikki the stripper from The Young and the Restless?‘ So she called me up and said, ‘Is that a compliment, or not?’ (Laughs) I said, ‘With the lovely Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) playing it, that’s a compliment!’ So, even in Jamaica we are huge.”
“There are so many amazing people that it takes to make 11,000 episodes of anything. We love you all … you are all hugely important to the show … but so is anyone who has been over the threshold of stage 41 and 43 at CBS over all these 43 years.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
“I will single out Bill Bell (Co-creator, Y&R). What an amazing vision he had. If you consider back in 1973, he came up with this amazing idea, and it was originally called The Innocent Years. They realized with what was going on in the world, The Innocent Years, didn’t really work. It was a few days after Y&R first came on to CBS, that the last Vietnam solider left and came back to America. We had kind of lost our innocence and the world was different, and that’s what grew into this new younger-type of soap which was The Young and the Restless. And I think that spirit of reflecting America, and reflecting all of these amazing characters as they have grown over 11,000 episodes has remained true to the spirit of the original vision of Bill and Lee Bell’s (Co-creator, Y&R), and that is my inspiration every day when we come over the threshold to these stages. I think, ‘What are we going to do today? What stories are we going to tell?”’
“If you were to binge watch Y&R – you need to get on your sofa with your pizza, and a lot of ice cream, and it’s going to be 10,126 ½ hours of TV, and if you were to watch it in one big go, it would take you 1 year, 1 month, and 26 days, and ½ hours to complete. That is a fun-feat we have pulled off, and we will continue to do so.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
“I was trying to find a superlative to describe in one word this fantastic show and what Bill Bell gave to us and the vision that he pulled out that gave us 11,000 episodes. I thought of ‘Amazeballs’, or ‘OMG!’ or ‘RAD!’ But that’s not going to be right coming out of a British person’s mouth. (Laughs) So there is one word I said I would never use around this place, but I am going to break that rule today, because it does best describe what you all are, and most importantly what the show is. The Young and the Restless is very, very ‘awesome”’!
So, what did you think of the excerpts from Mal’s speech? Y&R’s final stop on their 11K celebration tour which included retrsopective clip packages opening episodes of the series, the social media images of the cast showing the first episode number that they appeared in, and more? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and look for video interviews with the cast next week at On-Air On-Soaps!
Y&R has become very good, it has gripping plots!
GH has a boring mess ……….. sigh
Total agree especially about GH…
This soap originally started with the Brookes and Foster families but by the 1980s so many actors left Bill Belll decided instead of recasting characters he introduced three new families the Newmans and the Abbotts and the Winters…and they have been front and center over 30 years now…fans tune in and can see familiar characters they love and enjoy….the years brought in new producers and writers and yet those same three families remain…this is why it remains the number one soap…meanwhile GH and Days depends on too many gimmicks and too many cast changes…Days Horton family is still there but not as many as there was in its hey day and some are completely forgotten…its Brady family isnt what it used to be…many newbies are introduced that dont work and written out…gimmick story telling like the three convicts is somewhat interesting but it just adds more gloom in doom in a show which focuses on too much darkness…i need some brightness in my Days and a touch of humor…GH has its good moments but the stories are all over the place and feel disjointed-the cast is bloated and they keep adding characters to move a story instead of utilizing the cast its had…a murder mystery at the hospital showed promise but where are all the doctors like Brad and Lucas who arent featured when this story is so front and center…both Days and GH are ok but they will never have the numbers like Y&R because that show has better continuation in its storytelling(but it does have a few problems keeping some characters involved like Lauren for example)…it isnt the great powerful soap like it was in its Bill Bell era but not of the remaing soaps are…it still above all the rest…it knows how to do drama and keep its fans tuning in tomorrow the way a good serial should,,,
What an accomplishment if they actually watched the entire series. That rich history would reveals the highs and lows of the program, what made it click and where its shortcomings were.
I do want to add that I felt it was a HUGE oversight or omission on the part of the 11,000th celebration to fail to show scenes from the first decade of the program or even cameo interviews with those original cast members who are still alive: they made the program work and I felt there should have been a tribute to them, hearing what they thought about the groundbreaking show, what were their memorable moments, etc. I hope Y and R NEVER FORGETS its past, its origins and its purpose.
Ron, I totally agree with you 100 percent, that would of been so awesome to show scenes from the first decade and bring in the actors/actresses that portrayed them. I am sorry to bring this up again, the show doesn’t feel the same as it use to…from the acting, the way it’s directed and missing the classic background music. Back in Y&R heydays, the actor’s with their fantastic acting along with the show’s direction and background music where the audience/fan’s were drawn into their lives and felt what the character’s were going through and wanted to continue to tune in and see what happened next, to me that era is gone and I continue to hope that it will happen again someday.
You are right on target regarding a few of the features that distinguished the show, especially the way a scene was directed and the use of background music. Someone else mentioned on this thread that the program has become so much more plot driven rather than character driven and there’s a great deal of truth to that. Right now (after watching the program as a kid when my mom watched it, and actually meeting and working with Bill Bell through a college gig) I am so distant from any character ties, not caring one bit what happens to any of them. Well, there are always 70s and 80s clips online here and there! Thanks for the written support.
Considering the show’s longevity I personally would rather heard from LPB herself and not Mal Young who’s been working on the show for what a minute?
The biggest difference between soaps then and now is now they are plot driven, while in the older days characters were the driving force behind plots instead of plots determining characters For examples they weren’t thinking lets do a story about abortion but rather what would happen to Ashley if she had an abortion– it is a subtle but big difference in how a story is told
If they would write for characters instead of using characters to tell stories the show would most likely make it to its 20,000 episode and beyond, as is, I don’t know, but if there is one soap that stands a chance of outlasting all of them — it would be this one.
Mary,
You are right-on with your post here! If anyone lasts, it will be Y and R… and here’s wishful thinking that we’ll return to the era of character-driven stories.
No Pratt sighting. He’s so out of there soon…
I’ve been watching y.r . For a very long time and since Jeanne Cooper was on there playing two different characters I loved it then she was Mrs. C. The person everyone fell in love with but now she is gone. I will always remember her character. The writers of the soap have done a great job never had they made it Boring but dramatic, romantic and interesting!!!!!! Keep it going .
Tony, given what has transpired in the past week, your comment was 100% correct and a great observation.
To Y&R fans that bitch about Pratt & Mal—
I will happly send Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante back to Y&R.
Yes, Pratt & Mal to GH and Shelly and Jean to Y&R ..
What a deal!! You’ll love it !!
I have been moved beyond words by Mal Young’s speech . I am so glad that he acknowledged that there is an international audience for all these beloved soap operas . here are just a few countries that young and the restless airs in : Australia , France , Jamaica , Belgium , Switzerland , Quebec ( canada ) … it used to air in New Zealand . I am sure it airs in other countries too . Bold and the beautiful is aired in almost every country around the world . Days of our lives used to air in France and New Zealand , it still airs in Australia and came back in South AFRICA recently . General hospital used to air in Australia and New Zealand , France tried 3 times with it but ended up cancelling it all 3 times ( low ratings ) . The French discovered the daytime soap genre when the very first daytime soap started there back in october of 1985 , the soap in question was Santa Barbara and the french loved it , it was a smash it over there . Marcy Walker , A Martinez , Robin Wright and all the others graced the covers of all the french tv magazines back then . The french had no soap opera digest or any magazine devoted to soaps so the french tv magazines of the day regularly featured front covers and articles on the soap . Now the french have the young and the restless , bold and beautiful to enjoy and had until the beginning of this year days of our lives but it was cancelled in France this year although it was winning its timeslot . I would wish that Young and restless could release on a streaming platform like youtube all the episodes from 1973 to 1993 so that all viewers from the us and around the world can watch or rewatch these classic episodes . This should be done for all these soaps . These great soaps should be made available worldwide . Think of icons like Guiding light , As the World turns , All my children , Another World . These soaps should be passed down to the next generations but if we don’t rerun them of course they will be lost for good . With streaming platforms available now i can’t believe we can’t access these soaps . Long live the daytime soapies !
Nicholas, How I wish they would stream all the present and the past soaps from the beginning, that would be so wonderful but I don’t think it will happen. As I am aging, I notice I am looking to the past more, lol…
The writing still sucks – still too plot-driven and schizoid for this long-time viewer
BTW – the shows is still down in demos and viewers.
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.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
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