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

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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!”
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)

Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?

Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”

Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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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.