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Y&R's Christel Khalil On Contract Talks: "I thought I would be worth what I thought I was worth to them, but I guess I'm not!"

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

The rumors spread fast and furious all week long that The Young and the Restless looked like it was recasting the role of Lily Winters played by Daytime Emmy winner Christel Khalil.  As information came to light it seems contract talks were again the culprit, so the number one soap put out a casting call for her replacement.

Khalil spoke to MSN.com and revealed, “I want to stay.  I heard a rumor someone said I was deciding to leave, but it’s not really working that way.  There’s something I want that they don’t want to give to me.  It hurts. I thought I would be worth what I thought I was worth to them, but I guess I’m not.  It would be very weird to see someone brand-new try to come in. It’s sad, because this is like my family. I’ve been here 10 years. I just wanted a few less restrictions, which I feel I deserve. It’s mainly about restrictions, and money. I guess they wanted all or nothing.”

MSN went on to say that Christel hopes things can work out in the final hours of negotiations, but confirmed it is not looking good.   So what do you think should be done here soapers? Work a deal with Khalil?  Or recast?  Let us know!

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Good riddance! I’ve never been able to stand her anyway. How she won a Daytime Emmy is beyond me.

Totally agree! That Emmy…I was like WTF?

You 2 obviously don’t have a clue on what she is all about. You should stick to story’s and people on what they do IF you did you would NOT be saying this about her. This is not funny!!
Christel is a good person! And she should stay if she can work it out. NO one will be able to replace her,so I guess that is the case then I guess she will have to be killed off,Or whatever CUZ Cane will be okay with taking care of the twins he has alot of help. With Jill out of town(vacation) I hope she is coming back ?

Keep her! This is not how you treat an actress who won your show its only Emmy this year.

I say good goodbye and good luck! She is being a greedy prima donna. She is not a Star just because she has an Emmy. I expect to see it on Ebay real soon. I lost my last job after 8 years, because they moved it to another city. It took me 2 years to find another job. She should suck it up and take what they offer. She is not a star, just another actor. There are plenty of out of work actors who would love to take the job and many of them are probably much better than she has ever been.

If she does not take the offer, we will see her on Dancing with the So-callled stars in a few years. She can call Sean Young for advice.

I really like her and she is a very good actress. Dont get the hate to her really

Young and The Restless should have paid attention to the last time they re-cast Lily (Christel Khalil) is a great actress she play and important role like Sharon & Nikki some actress re-cast just don’t work out it didn’t work the last time they re-cast Lily, stop trying to re-cast her & pay her a little more “Damnit”..when they re-cast Drewcilla that was a Big Flop, Neil role was never the same don’t make the same mistake.We like her keep her on the show…

I wonder what the restrictions were that she wanted lifted. It makes me believe that JFP is going to run a tight ship.

I think something will be done with all the outs that Billy Miller and Jeff Branson, to name a few, currently enjoy. I think they probably want everyone who is employed at Y&R to not have outside projects that take them away for months, but this is just speculating on my part.

The restrictions were do not bring back Victoria Rowell!! LOL!!

Money money money, be grateful you have a job in daytime and go with it – wow!

Sounds like that Emmy went to her head….Never really cared for her portrayal of the character anyway. The show will be just fine without her….as a matter of fact, they could lose the character all together, and I’d be fine.

ratings are down, y and r need these actors like never before and im sure the big guys up front know this, but would never show it,,to all the actors in negotiations stick to your belief in what your value is ,you may be dropped for a bit but so will ratings ,soon thephone will be ringing and if not then maybe this isnt where you should be,,its about time the powers that be realize why we watch…

She needs to go. Maybe now they’ll bring back Victoria rowell

She probably wanted the option in her contract to explore other opportunities elsewhere and they said no. So (IMO), it was between freedom to choose or a steady paycheck, and the network (or whoever) got fed up and chose for her. Sorry to see a single mother out of a job but maybe she shouldn’t have tried to push for something that she wasn’t going to get (even if she felt entitled to it).

Despite best efforts on Y&R’s part, I find Lily & Cane boring. Neither Christel Kahlil or Daniel Goddard are dynamic actors. Mystified by her Emmy win, frankly.

well, they now have GH old boss jfp so i’m not surprise, she didn’t give Jonathan Jackson the break he wanted and less time so it was all or nothing, its like she doesn’t know how to compromise with the talent. its her way or no way.

Christel is amazing as Lily and Sony/CBS cannot see that right now. She is needed as Lily!!!! Keep her! I know I’ll be writing e-mails, letters and tweets in support of Christel!

Maybe now Victoria Rowell will be able to return as Drucilla. One less actor that was against her coming back is gone.

Those previously written remarks by S.W. you are a small person!!!!!!oboviously jealous of her talent!!These actors, run circles around actors in motion picture roles, to treat the only actor in the ensemble who garned a Daytime Emmy is indeed misguided, and dare we say, a sign of things, to come. People you have short memories, look how the producers treated Eric Braden, MTS, and her husband was the executive producer. Such disrespect!!!! Should she leave the show, given how they are disrespectinv her, by doing a casting is outragious!!!!!!Shame!!! Shame on you!!! This is the new executive producer JFP….her handwriting is all over this…..

you are absolutely right! believe me this is just the tip of the iceberg to come from the nortorious jfp……..

Recast!!!!!!

She should give in and stay. Taking a pay cut is a small price to pay. Christel wins and Emmy. And now thinks she is Susan lucci. Even if she took a pay cut she would stil make more than most women working a nine to five. Its a sad reality for any actress working as a soap actress. Outside of the soap arena it is very hard to get steady work. Christel will go begging for her job back. Her character is forgetable. At most.

no disrespect intended towards susan lucci BUT she played erica kane for 41 years on amc and only won one emmy & that was after 17 or so nominations & christel won her’s on her 4th nomination so why would she think she is susan lucci?

I can’t decide if the character of Lily is boring or if its the way Christel portrays her, but I say recast and shake things up a bit.

Jill might not be back.
Ashley is gone.
Noah is gone.
Lily is gone.

all very familiar faces… with Core families. it’s so much upheavel… it’s like spending all our time… thinking about behind the scenes… the writing… who’s coming and going…. Oye…

i’m sure, i missed someone.

I never like her, I like the recast better she had lots of chemistry with Daniel. She was too pale to be Dru and Macolm’s daughter.

“was too pale to be dru & malcom’s daughter” what her skin color have to do with anything??? what an asinine comment!

I hope Christel lands a primetime gig with a major role, she will be missed, her character was loving and sweet and it’s a shame peope can’t relate to someone who has morals. People would rather watch sluts like sharon, phyllis, nikki, victor, nicholas and adam hop from one bed to the next. Doesn’t take much acting to do that!!!!! Christel you are a true talent, stay true to who you are and don’t change for anyone.

Recast with someone with a pulse.

This business is no different than any other when it comes down to money and benefits.

She is VERY popular and why shouldnt she capitalize on it?

Sony is making money hand over fist on this show, we watch for the cast and story. Without them Sony doesnt have a show.

Ronn Moss was also right to leave, B&B makes billions worldwide, why should any of the main stars who have been with the show from day 1 be expected to take “significant” pay cuts? If B&B were the sinking ship that Guiding Light was Id agree that he should shut up and count his blessings but that isnt the case and the show will suffer for it.

“Sony is making money hand over fist on this show, we watch for the cast and story. Without them Sony doesnt have a show.”

I don’t know about that, Rob. SPT is generally one of the divisions that makes a lot of profits, especially the home entertainment division (I know this from working there a few years ago. Those people get the best perks!), but news articles say that SPT is turning a profit because of their cable shows in syndication (like Justified, Rescue Me, Breaking Bad) and their shows internationally. They have a new Multi Screen Media deal with India and I remember they had a ton of shows that they filmed in Cologne, Germany for European channels. Plus they also cover Latin America and other areas. Not to mention they bought up an Indian effects company when I was there in 2009 and they have moved a lot of staff to New Mexico due to Los Angeles not giving them the tax incentives to stay.

I think you may be thinking they are making so much money because Y&R has been the number one daytime serial for so many years, but I’m not sure they are making money there. They have helped themselves by cutting costs at DAYS and Y&R, but we can only wait and see what their TRUE intent is regarding the future of those two shows. Frankly, I want to believe that their hiring JFP means they want to keep the show, but now I am on the fence about it. It makes me think they want to keep it because if they wanted to run it into the ground, they could have kept Maria Arena Bell and continued business as usual. But by hiring Phelps, who probably costs more money (I would think), makes me think they want to keep it. Boy do I hate being out of the loop! 🙂

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the cast being the reason we watch, but unfortunately, someone like Christel Khalil and her character of Lily are NOT what built Y&R – that honor belongs to Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott (Victor & Nikki) are the backbone of the show plus a lot of other veterans. I had to be so blunt, and I know there are a ton of “Lane” fans, but there is always going to be someone that loves something as much as someone hates something. Just look at Kyle and Eden. I am sure there are already fans that have some shipper name for them or something. I remember when Kelly Monaco was joining GH and the rumors were that she would be paired with Jax. She had not even filmed yet and you had people obsessed with the couple. They had their shipper name already … Jam. And we know how well that worked out.

Long story short (too late for that. Ha! Ha!) I hope it works out for Christel and anyone else that gets let go. I guess if it were all about money (and we do not know that – she just said “restrictions”) then she should would see how Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott were expendable in past contract negotiations and, again they are the backbone of the show. Just my two cents. 🙂

The diva-in-training attitude will not fly in the soap world.

Reading all the comments in favor of the recast makes me just wish that they could find a new Roxie and Tatiana Ali could play a new Lily. Ali is so beautiful and so sweet and definitely has a lot more in her than they are letting her do. Just a thought. 🙂

This is a shame, as the young woman did win an Emmy which should be noted by the powers that be. And she has been a strong performer for the show. As for the Lily story, I would hate for the character to go. I think the Winters family needs shoring up and stabilizing and strengthening… Lily is center to that. What I do not like is the Lily-Cane pairing. It is not beautiful or romantic. Cane has been written from so many angles, I cannot embrace him as hero or anti-hero or villian. I think Y&R could benefit from some humor and raising twins surely could offer that. Lily is well integrated into Genoa City, too, unless the new producer and writer are planning to clear out some of the extraneous 20-somethings.

As for the out clauses some actors receive, they really do upset story flow. I am weary of mysterious disappearances and awkward absences. These are talented actors and interesting characters. Use them! Keep them busy!

I don’t get all the Lilly love. I feel like I’m watching a different show. I find her character (and the actress) totally boring and a waste of airtime. Other than being a Winters, I will not miss her one bit.

I agree that a lot of characters are leaving the canvass, but they need to clear the dead wood. Lilly & Cane are dead wood to me. I do wish they would bring Drucilla back. I don’t care if some of her castmates don’t like her. Suck it up. We’ve all had to work with people we don’t care for in our careers. Act professionally and let it go at the end of the workday.

Well you know, she can always go to one of the other 20 soaps on the air!!!!

She was boring

CBS should definitely find a way to work it out . I would love for Christel to stay. I want to see more dynamic story lines for Lily and Cane. Christel Khalil and Daniel Goddard are great together and I think they could really soar if given the opportunity with better writing for their characters.

NO ONE is indispensible and the sooner these over-paid actors with over-inflated egos realize that, the better off they will be. The gravy train has been put out of commission and these actors will just have to learn to live on less like the rest of us.
We’ll probably never know what “restrictions” she’s trying to get out from under, but in this day and age, if it’s a job you love, you just suck it up and stay.

When I heard she was talking contract again, I figure she is going to agree to whatever they offer. I agree with everything you said.

“WORK A DEAL” Please!!!! I always look forward to seeing YOU. I love your acting and your since of humor – You just “ROCK” ! I don’t wanna see anyone in your place! –
~I really hope you DON’T leave!!!!! Christel ~
I don’t like Sofia- She needs to be recast.! She and Tucker should hook-up. They seam to be well connected.! I think we all think this SO why haven’t Sofia and Tucker done the bump n grind?

I think the answer to your last question, which, by the way, kind of makes me sick imagining it, is because Tucker is kind of like a father figure to Sofia. 🙂

They want to ditch Christel after she wins an Emmy. Foolish move Y&R. Changing of the guard, looks more like a dictatorship. TPTB has to work out a deal with CK, she is the only Lily Ashby!!

By all means, she’s the best “Lilly” a keeper!!!

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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.

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