News
Y&R's Christian LeBlanc Named Power Performance Of The Week!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
It’s been a few months since we have given out the On-Air On-Soaps Power Performance of the Week accolade, but that is about to change, because in riveting and key scenes on this week’s episodes of The Young and the Restless, three-time Daytime Emmy award winning actor, Christian LeBlanc (Michael) was once again in the spotlight, and boy … did he deliver!
The brilliant complexities set in motion by the Y&R writing regime has once bad boy Michael Baldwin desperately trying to keep his troubled son Fenmore (Max Ehrich) from going down the same path as he did. And with that comes drama between father and son, and husband and wife.
Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman) is beyond frustrated with her husband that he could choose and believe helping bullying victim Jamie (Daniel Polo) over their own son, Fen! On-Air On-Soaps previewed this story back in December with our very special interview with LeBlanc, Bregman and Max Ehrich here!
In key scenes on Tuesday and Thursday’s episode of Y&R, Christian LeBlanc reminded us all of just why he has those three Daytime Emmys! When Michael confronts Fen about Jamie, and the possibility he could face jail time for his actions, Fen pushed back and played dirty throwing Michael’s previous crimes in his face! It was here that the masterful work of LeBlanc was at its best. Horrified that his son knows of his past with Christine and Paul, and through his tears, Michael tells his son that it is indeed true. However, through years of therapy and begging forgiveness to all those that he hurt, he was able to change his life. Now Michael fears for his son, if he doesn’t change his ways.
And still later in a subtle and magnificent performance, LeBlanc listens as Jamie is brought to the Baldwin home to give his statement to Michael (who is the DA), with Paul present, of his account of what Fenmore had perpetrated on him. As Jamie gives his statement, Michael listens intently with tears in his eyes at the thought of what the more underprivileged Jamie suffered at the hands of his son! Next, Michael has Fen arrested and cuffed, as Lauren looks on and says she will never forgive Michael. This sets the stage for significant trouble for Michael and Lauren’s relationship! The question is; will this duo be able to withstand the riff that Fenmore’s troubled life is causing them?
In his portrayal as a conflicted father on the right side of the law, Christian LeBlanc’s range of emotions, and his ability to convey so much, whether it is in a emotional battle of words, or a restrained scene where you see it all play out through his eyes, gives him the honor of On-Air On-Soaps Power Performance of the Week!
Watch Christian’s ‘Power Performance’ clips below! Then let us know, do you agree with our choice? And, are you into this storyline that is tearing the Baldwin family apart?
General Hospital
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall, General Hospital) has taken to her Instagram for the second time this week and now honors her late dear friend and General Hospital co-star, Billy Miller (ex-Drew Cain) on what would have been his 47th birthday on September 17.
In her post, Monaco wished Billy “a heavenly birthday” and shared a typewritten note from her beloved co-star after he exited General Hospital in the role of Drew Cain. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor played the part from 2014-2019.
Monaco wrote accompanying the photo of Billy’s letter: “He (Billy) sent me this a few years ago, after he left (the show) wanting me to post it… I didn’t/ But… I know he wanted anyone who’s ever supported his work and or got to know him as a friend to read this letter.”
Photo: JPI
BILLY MILLER WON THREE DAYTIME EMMYS FOR HIS WORK IN SOAPS
Billy Miller was one of the most respected actors to ever grace the daytime screens for his portrayals as Richie Novack on All My Children from 2007-2008 and Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless from 2008 until 2014 and of course, his final soap stop on General Hospital. He also appeared on primetime’s Ray Donovan and Suits.
TOUCHING GOODBYE LETTER AFTER EXITING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Here now, is what Billy shared in his letter after exiting GH: “Hello, friends… With a slight air of sadness it is time to ponder what ‘goodbye’ means. However, instead of dwelling on what is gone and sure to be missed, there is another way.”
“Maybe our goodbye is really a remembrance of love felt, an appreciation for lives shared and the lifelong reminiscences that come from embraces given and received, Maybe our goodbye is an earnest hope for the brightest path forward for us all,” expressed Miller. “Maybe our goodbye is honoring growth and lessons learned.”
The beloved star added, “Now, instead of sadness, I am filled with gratitude for all your support, encouragement and every emotion shared. I cherish the journey we have taken together, Thank you for allowing me into your homes and lives. With every ounce of myself, I thank you for being you. I would be remiss in this crazy, unpredictable world we all love so much if I did not hold out the possibility that maybe our goodbye is really… until next time.”
Sadly, Billy died by suicide three years ago on September 15, 2023, just two days shy of what would have been his 43rd birthday. You can check out Kelly’s post below.
Now, share your remembrances today of Billy Miller and the touching letter he wrote after leaving General Hospital, that Kelly Monaco posted in tribute to her friend and co-star via the comment section below.
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News
Patrika Darbo and Ashley Campbell Set to Appear on ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Shirley and Coco Spectra
As the nuptials of Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) are drawing near in October on The Young and the Restless, a few of Sally’s family will be showing up in Genoa City for the big day.
The Young and the Restless has confirmed that Patrika Darbo, who originated the role of Shirley Spectra on The Bold and the Beautiful and last appeared on Y&R back on video calls in story in 2021 with her granddaughter, Sally, will be back on-screen next month.
Darbo originated the role of Shirley, the sister of the legendary Sally Spectra Garrison (the late Darlene Conley), first on B&B from 2017 to 2018. Known for countless television and film roles, Patrika Darbo is best known for her run on Days of our Lives as Nancy Wesley.
Photo: JPI
THE SPECTRAS ARE COMING TO SUPPORT SALLY
Joining Darbo will be Ashley Campbell in the role of Coco Spectra. The role was last played on B&B by Courtney Grosbeck. Coco is the younger sister of Sally’s. Grosbeck was seen in the role on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2017-2018 and was involved with the character of R.J. Forrester.
Campbell is a model and an actress who has previously appeared on HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls and the film Spellbound.
Previously, Y&R’s executive producer Sally McDonald teased Bill and Sallys upcoming wedding: “Billy is his own worst enemy now more than ever as his need for revenge takes over his life. He will receive a reality check from Sally, leading them both on planning the wedding of the year. Sally will find herself navigating politics in her personal life when she is faced with major decisions about the wedding. Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally always seem to find their lives intertwined whether they like it or not, and this fall will be no different. Billy and Sally’s nuptials will be the wedding of the year, and you should expect the unexpected!”
So, excited to see Sally’s family joining her in Genoa City in time for her wedding to Billy? Do you think Sally and Billy’s wedding will say “I do?” Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Blythe Howard Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Monet: Who is She Connected to in Port Charles?
General Hospital continues to add new characters to the canvas. Now comes word of the arrival of Monet, a savvy lawyer played by Blythe Howard. Look for Monet to debut in Port Charles next week on the Wednesday, September 23 episode.
According to TV Insider, “Monet arrives in town as a litigator who recently joined Miller & Davis, the firm run by Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) and Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn), and meets with a Port Charles resident in need of legal counsel.”
In a statement, General Hospital’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared, “I am very excited to welcome Blythe Howard to the cast of General Hospital. Look for her to have an unexpected connection to a beloved Port Charles resident.”
FROM TELEVISION TO CANCER SURVIVOR TO GIVING BACK
If Howard looks familiar you may have seen her on several television series including: Yellowstone, Power Book IV: Force, Walker, 9-1-1: Lone Star, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, CW’s Dynasty, Silicon Valley plus David Fincher‘s Mindhunter.
Photo: ChemoQueens
Blythe is also a cancer survivor having cofounded Chemo Queens with her sister Kelsey Howard. The company creates products for people undergoing cancer treatment, including a patent-pending cold cap design.
In recent months, General Hospital has brought in several new actors for brand new roles or recasts. They include: Alimi Ballard (William Baines), Jonathan Bennett (Joe Fitzpatrick), Kearran Giovanni (Dr. Nichols), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts), Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Kayden Brennan Tokarski (Scout Cain) and Troy Lennon Appel (Hudson Parker). You can now add Blythe Howard to this list.
So, who do you think Monet has an unexpected connection to that is a “beloved” Port Charles resident as teased by Frank Valentini? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
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Agree. Christian LeBlanc was perfect with the bullying storyline as does his on-screen son, Max Ehrich (Fen).
Agreed! Christian LeBlanc is an awesome actor and would be great in movies. I am also loving Josh Griffith as a head writer. He is giving Christian great storylines to show his awesome talent.
Yes. I am enjoying JG’s writing too! Y&R is back……………….Thank you so much CBS!!!
Excellent pick, Michael – I hope Mr. LeBlanc submits either day’s episodes for Emmy consideration! This bullying storyline has been very entertaining & well-performed by all involved!
Christian is doing an awesome job. He is a wonderful actor. This storyline has become my favorite storyline on the show right now and I am looking forward to seeing how this is all going to end.
Yep I truly agree! Christian, Tracey, Max & Daniel were great!
Wow I am stun- it has been so long since I heard anything positive about this show that I forgotten what it is like — I agree CL did a great job, but I still find it difficult to believe Fen went being this nice nerdy guy to Ricky 2.0 just because he liked Summer and was jealous of Jamie. I think the actors are doing a good job portraying it, just find the premise of it is a bit of stretch given Fen has no history of behavioral problems– I’m incline to take Lauren’s view- that Fen is innocent and Michael is projecting his past onto his son. There has to be more to the story than what is being told. But congrats CL for giving an outstanding performance, reminding us fans there is still stuff to love about this show.
I agree! Those scenes this week have kept me on the edge of my seat! Very exciting!
With Friday, February 1 being the last day that we saw Hogan Sheffer’s (his contract expired in November and he was not kept on. So any material we saw up until the 1st of February did have some of Hogan’s writing in it) name in the credits as a part of the writing team and the last hold over from MAB’s regime, we can now breathe a collective sigh of relief and now know that anything on the screen that is written is written by the entire writing team that Josh Griffith assembled together from the time he was hired up until now. The only hold over really is Susan Dansby (who wrote for As The World Turns and was the writer who wrote most of the Luke and Noah storyline on ATWT), who is African-American and she was hired because of the bad publicity that former Y&R star Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla) gave the show due to its lack of diverse talent behind the scenes.
I too agree with Michael that CL has been killing (no pun intended) this storyline as have Tracey Bregman, Max Ehrich, and Daniel Polo. Of all of the bullying storyline’s that I’ve seen on daytime, this has been the most riveting bullying storyline to date. I suspect that when the Emmy nominations are announced in the Spring of 2014, you’re going to see most, if not all of the performers in this storyline having Emmy nominations. Josh Griffith definitely should also submit key scenes that his writing team has written for this storyline for Emmy consideration for Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team.
But overall, Y&R as a whole is definitely on it’s way back to it’s glory days of yore and I for one cannot wait to watch each and every episode. It is so nice to see storylines and characters that actually make sense and don’t leave me scratching my head wondering what the hell just happened.
Great job by all involved!
Fantastic!!!!! CL did as he always does, delivers the goods.
Christian was awesome in his scenes. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t up for another Emmy Award. Such a brilliant actor.
I agree. Both he and Tracey are awesome. I just wish the storyline weren’t so forced. Y&R just doesn’t flow organically like it did up until 2005. The new regime can take a cue from Cartini at GH and start mining this show’s rich history of interesting characters and stop forcing new ones on us.
Amazing actor I think he will be nominated for an emmy. The new writers are really bringing very powerful material. Keep up the good work.
Y&R has gotten it’s groove back. The writers are magnificent. Yes, I agree, Christian LeBlanc delivered Big Time. I was getting kind of fed up with him letting his family get away with murder. By right, Keving and Phyllis should be in jail. Now he is keeping it real and delivering as only he can. Let us not forget about Peter Bergman in his scenes dealing with his addiction. Another great talent. I am loving Michael. I take my hat off to the new writing team. They are Bringing it to the table.
Finally someone appreciates this great actor who always hits it out of the park..Not only is handsome, Sexy and so believable..I laurgh with him and i cry with him..CLB is delivering and I to am congratulating the writers for seeing this talented man front and center where he belongs..Christian has always made Michael real and you and you sometimes forget that Michael Baldwin is not a real person but a Y and R character.. I have always been a Michael fan and a Christian LeBlanc fan there is no better human being and truly one of he best actors on TV today..Brave Christian Bravo Josh..you are bringing me back to Y and R.
CLB was very moving and powerful in his scenes. He, Tracey Bregman, Doug Davidson, Max Erlich, and Daniel Polo have all been terrific in this story. It is tough to see such a strong marriage as Lauren and Michael’sgo through this, but I think it resonates more because we know how solid they are as a couple and how much they love their son. This situation can happen to any family. Thank goodness Josh Griffith realized the talent he had in Christian, Tracey and Doug as well as young actors Max and Daniel and wrote a compelling story for them. Michael and Lauren were used as support for other favored characters for too long and now are being given the opportunity to shine and have run with it. I hope we will see that a strong marriage can overcome such trying circumstances, Fen admits to his bullying and commits to being a better person, and Jamie can find love and Paul redemption with each other.
Great choice Michael. I am beyond thrilled to see CLB finally get a storyline again that showcases his amazing talent. He is well deserving of those Emmys; and it was beyond frustrating for the fans who know him to be the Powerhouse actor he is to see him be written simply as Victor’s lapdog all that time.