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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!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

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!

 

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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.

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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