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Y&R's Christian LeBlanc sad over Maura West's dismissal!

By Michael Fairman

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Three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) of The Young and the Restless spoke with CBS Soaps In Depth at this week’s Dancing with the Stars finale revealing he was very sad at the dismissal of two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Maura West as Diane on the number one soap.

According to SID, “LeBlanc confessed that he was just as sad as the rest of the daytime world. “Maura told me,” shares LeBlanc of his co-star, who was given her pink-slip last Friday, May 20.”

LeBlanc went on to say, “I stalked Maura most of these last few months trying to sneak into scenes with her. I wanted to work with her. I know I will work with her again because that’s how it works in this business. I will miss her. Maura’s a wonderful, wonderful actress. I cannot tell you how amazed I am at her skill. She knocks my socks off. I know the best will happen for her.  I’m trying to be nice to her so she’ll put me in her movies!”

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nice to hear maura west get support from other y&r actors.

however, no one has the guts to speak out against hack maria arena bell, who is responsible for mw’s firing and for not writing for her in the first place. no one has the guts to talk about the character assassination taking place all over genoa city.

One thing is certain, there is no job security at all in the Soap world. I had never seen Maura act before but was truly enjoying her as Diane. Guess you are at the mercy of Maria Arena Bell on that show. No more Diana, let’s try Genie. Well good luck Genie when all the actors from AMC and OLTL become available.

I watched maura on atwt and she is a good actress and this is sad as she brought out the mean and dirty in diana.

I knew I like Christian LeBlanc for a reason. Class act, man! It is refreshing to see that support. Maura West is gifted. (Yes, I am a fan!) And it is sad that she was let go. I do worry about the characters on the Y&R landscape and their evolution without regard to history, not to mention said characters clogging through repetitive plots.

I am stunned by this news about Maura West leaving Y&R. She is a wonderful actress who is so distinctive in her role as Diane.The writers gave her impossible material making her the most conniving bitch of all time. But, she took that role and knocked it out of the park.. And you were made to hate her. I don’t think she will have any trouble finding work day or night time. She would be perfect for Desperate Housewives, better than Lucci. Christian Le Blanc is a true gentleman to root for her. And he should know, being a multi Emmy winner. I’m not going to hope Y&R is going to reconsider. Stupid!!!!!!!

I beleived the Maura West played the role Very well,In fact i enjoyed watching her. Too bad they couldn’t see it that way…Good Luct

She should have been brought on as a totally new character. Thirty year difference between her and Eric Braeden, they have a problem over there. Eden Riegel is all wrong for the part of Heather the character of Malcom all wrong the recast talk to the casting Dept!!!!

I totally agree with you!! Eden Riegel and Malcolm’s characters are all wrong.

I absolutely love Maura West! She was my favorite character as Carly on ATWT. I think that she should have been cast as a totally new character. However, she couldn’t have played it any better. She is just a phenominal actress. Best of luck to her; although, she won’t need it.

Oh I certainly agree with you Emily. What a shocker & a shame to see what they did to Maura West. CBS are such Idiots!! I just love Maura West also. Nothing like her AMAZING Talent .. and I so miss ATWT and our CarJack. What a Magnanimous team with Maura West and Michael Park.

I agree with you, they should have cast her as a new character & I think, should have teamed her in a romance with Nick. They can’t replace Carly & Jack, but the Sparks certainly would have flew. I really thought at time’s that they were going in that direction.

They would have heated up the Y&R to a sizzle .. sadly they missed the boat on that one. The writer’s were just so indecisive that they blew a great twist and Love story … and sadly the amazing talents of Maura West!

CBS does it again .. right in the toilet.

Glad she’s leaving, not pretty at all.

well you must be blind then…

I can see perfectly and just because you think she’s attractive doesn’t mean that I have too, different strokes for different folks. Being blond doesn’t automatically make you attractive.

I’m a heterosexual woman, married with kids. I agree with Samalcis .. YOU MUST BE BLIND. MAURA WEST IS GORGEOUS.

not a bad actress but she didnt fit well with cast members.

I am not upset at all. I dreaded all her scenes. I understand how fellow actors may feel, but as a viewer, I thought she was an awful. I mean I am a long time viewer of Y&R, and she just was all wrong for that character. She had NO chemistry with anyone on that show! Her scenes with Nick made me want to gagm so I am so relieved that I will not be tortured anymore. She is better off. I also agree that Eden R. is terrible as this Heather. Some of these soap people should stick with their original roots! Adios Diane!

Really?? Wow, I’ve watched her on ATWT since the day she lit up the screen 16 -17 years ago .. meeting Jack ..her G-Man. There’s never been a more Magnetic & Sensual couple then Maura West & Michael Park ..Never So Many SPARKS.. and I’ve watched every soap out there. I’ve NEVER seen a better actress on a Soap, and sadly I know the IDIOTS at CBS & Y&R have made yet another huge mistake by letting her go. Maura a Two Time Emmy Winner & 2010 Most Outstanding Actress.
Where have you had your head burried??
With the garbage that the writers wrote for her, she still managed to flip that soap on it’s ear, and was the most exciting actress on that BORING Soap. I used to watch the Y&R .. boring .. the only reason I went back to it was to watch Maura West. …and I know by the Petitions that thousands of her fans followed, so Y&R just lost those thousands of fans, along with myself, as the Y&R gears back down to boredom after the wake of Diane. It’s the writer’s .. Terrible!! Alot of Talent on the Y&R .. the writer’s are the one’s who should be fired. Yawn!
I must give a HUGE Kudos to Christian LeBlanc. What a class act you are! Very Talented yourself .. and you certainly know talent when you see it. Maura is the Queen of talent. The only thing that I WAS praying for was the love angle between Diane & Nick .. I really thought at times that they were going to turn it into another (Carly & Jack ..aka CarJack) That show would have sizzled .. You can’t replace CarJack .. but they certainly could have had the hottest romance that the Y&R has EVER seen. It’s just shocking and sad .. Now the Y&R is turning back into the old boring soap. Christian Leblanc certainly saw how Maura West can be absolutely Electric. The Writers just had her all over the place .. crazy. When you’ve got a talent like that, you are Morons to ever let that slip away!
Maura will always hit the ground running .. her talent Unfathomed & Uncontested. Two Time Emmy Winner!!! Only CBS & Y&R execs can be stupid enough to let that kind of talent get away. CarJack forever!!!

Nice words from CLB. I thought he and Maura West shared strong chemistry in their few, brief scenes. Maura West is a great actress and I am sure she will land on her feet. She was horribly miscast as Diane and I agree that she should have been cast as a new character, ideally, a savvy businesswoman that shared an attraction with Michael and tried to intervene in Michael and Lauren’s marriage. That way, Michael and Lauren would get story that elevated the characters from the backburner. I am amazed by the writers’ inability to write decent story for last year’s Lead Actress at the Daytime Emmys. MW’s kind of talent should inspire writers.

Why is it that Maura West who is a real beauty, and a wonderful actress has not become a major motion picture star? She is every bit as good an actress as any of the top actresses of the big screen . And she is certainly more beautiful than any of them as well. First of all regarding Y&R, a new character should have been created for her, one that would have allowed her extraordinary talents to shine through. She is a great actress and one day she will land where she is suppose to be. One day, I believe that her short stay on Y&R was meant to be,simply because bigger and better things are instore for her great talent.

I love Maury West. I think that they should create a new role for her as Diane’s lost twin sister. Put her and Jack together, that would be great. If not, heads up any way Maury. You are a great actress and remind me of Mae West. I look forward to seeing you in other roles and I’ll follow you wherever you go.
Your loyal fan—-Marilyn

I agree Maura is my all time favorite regardless who she plays as,none better,I wish The Y&R would get rid of that nasty woman that plays as Phillis,now that woman is totally gross and the scenes of her and Nick really make me ill.

I would love to see Maura West at least do a Good Wife episode, Mad Men episode, or one of those new primetime dramas. I think she can do procedurals, which I don’t watch but she’s much craftier than a lot of the actresses on them right now. I can also see her doing a Sci-fi show. Those eyes of hers needs to used properly. She has the face for making Sci-fi even cooler.

I love Maura West. She is a great actress. Loved her on ATWT also. The reason most of you hate her is because of her character…hello??? That’s why she is a great actress because you see her as that character because of her talent.

Maura West is one of the most gifted actresses out there in daytime or primetime, and I think its a joke that she’s let go, and Julie Pace Mitchell (Sofia) is retained, she cant even cry convincingly!!…Everyone on the set of ATWT used to say school was in session when Maura and Ben Hendrikson (Hal) had a scene together…shame on the writers of YnR for dropping the ball on this one, but she’ll land on her feet!!

Shame on you at Y&R Miss West was very good for your show. She will be miss. She put new life back in the story line.

young and the restless have gone to hell. get a new writer please. all the women characters r being degrated. wont tune in anymore

Thank you, Christian LeBlanc, for having the insight and class to speak out on behalf of Maura West. Aside from being a hugely talented actress, she is stunningly beautiful and had great chemistry with every actor in the series but I would especially have loved more Diane/Michael scenes. Sad to say, Maura’s release only puts one more nail in the Soap coffin. The incompetence displayed by whomever made this egregious error should not be overlooked nor go unpunished. Shame on you!

My sentiments EXACTLY.
Maura is an amazingly talented actress, beside’s absolutely gorgeous!!
I would have loved to have seen her with Michael, but I really like Michael & Lauren .. they just need to both start showing their darker sides like back in the day. I would have liked to have seen her have a onetime long love with Nick .. we know how Maura can make those scenes sizzle, and the longing looks that go back to her G-Man Jack on ATWT.
Y&R made a huge mistake with that one. Seems like they were testing it .. and they let it go. The writers were and still are all over the place. They don’t seem to know what they are doing next??
It’s just horrible sad because I feel exactly the same as you .. just one more of our beloved Soaps headed for the axe, until there aren’t anymore left.
People need to Boycott CBS execs wife Julie Chen .. she is the one who made sure hubby gave ATWT the axe just to get the 2pm slot for her new show “The Talk” If people don’t start protesting all of these talk shows & reality shows taking over the afternoons .. then soon all the Soaps will be gone. Just Sad

I must give a HUGE Kudos to Christian LeBlanc. What a class act you are Christian! Very Talented yourself .. and you certainly know talent when you see it. Maura is the Queen of talent. Y&R certainly had plenty of opportunity to spice up your character with Diane, or in many ways. You’re an amazing talent, and Y&R is not writing for those talents at all. Not only with you Christian, but with all of the cast at Y&R .. They’ve written the show into the boring doldrums.

Christian Leblanc certainly saw how Maura West can be absolutely Electric. The Writers just had her all over the place .. crazy. When you’ve got a talent like that, you are Morons to ever let that slip away!

Maura will always hit the ground running .. her talent Unscathed & Uncontested. Two Time Emmy Winner!!! Only CBS & Y&R execs can be stupid enough to let that kind of talent get away.

Gosh do I hate Maria Arena Bell. I really do.

What is Maura West doing now? She was such a great actress.
Maura really kept everyone on their toes.

Beyond the Gates

TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up

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Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.

However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).

From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).

In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.

So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?

Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.

For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.

So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

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The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.

Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI

FOR LESLIE CHARLESON

Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”

Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).

Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.

“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI

SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.

Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.

You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.

Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

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Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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