News
Y&R's Christmas Episode Shows That Its Emotional Heart Is Back And Beating Strong!
Courtesy/CBS
Watching Friday’s Christmas episode of The Young and the Restless reminds us how attention to the characters we love, their dynamics with each other, and how subtle moments played can resonate with its longtime and faithful viewers.
Under head writer Sally Sussman’s leadership, the writing of the series has already gotten back to some of the reasons that made Y&R a classic in the first place. On this holiday installment, the Newmans gather for their annual gathering with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) hoping both her sons: Dylan (Steve Burton) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) will both attend. Unfortunately, Sharon (Sharon Case) and Dylan decide to sit this out, because of the volatile situation around Christian. When the two are together, they lament that they both have a secret – they have each been carrying a photo of “Sully” aka Christian with them. It’s a wistful time for Sharon and Dylan and touchingly played by Sharon Case and Steve Burton.
While Nick and Sharon’s daughter, Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) has decided to for now live with Nikki and Victor (Eric Braeden), Christmas is just lonely for Sharon and Dylan without kids around. In another touching moment while at the Newman gathering, Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) misses Adam. Victor sees she is very sad, and reveals that he misses Adam, too. Then in another emotional moment for longtime viewers, the unbreakable bond between Victor and Nick is shown through two examples 1) Nick harkeing back to when he was a young boy how he loved listening to his dad tell the Christmas story, and still does. 2) In a flashback, Victor lifted him young Nick up to put the star on the tree, which is something In 2016, Nick did with his daughter, Faith.
Many major characters were part of this episode including: Billy (Jason Thompson) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle), who are happy to see each other, no matter how they try to protest. Cane (Daniel Goddard) even gave an olive branch to Billy to put aside their differences for the day, as he understands how much Billy misses his childen. We even had a lovely moment between Billy and his mother, Jill, played wonderfully by Thompson and Jess Walton.
However, it was the final moments of the episode that may have made viewers reach for the hankies. That was when Nick decides the right thing to do on Christmas Eve is to bring Christian over to see Dylan and Sharon. The scene when he walks through the front door and hands Christian to Dylan while Sharon is filled with tears, capped a well-written holiday broascast.
So, what did you think of Y&R’s Christmas episode? What was your favorite moment during it? Comment below.
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
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Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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Excellent, Superb. It’s so wonderful to see Y&R return to what it should be. I loved the whole show but the ending with Nick taking Christian over to see Sharon and Dylan was the icing on the cake. THANKS again to Sally and Kay, us fans so appreciate what both of you have done since your return to Y&R.
OK- being honest.
Y&R is good, I love it
BUT-
The dialogue has been overly lame sappy campy in the Christmas scenes, and the phoney laughing was funny, actually.. I had some chuckles over it.
As long as I can get a chuckle or two from the campy sappy dialogue, I’m good with it.
I read a Harlequin love book, whatever their purpose was, once.
And I had book flashbacks of the dialogue of the book and Y&R, these days.
Y&R is great—
but a big GGGEEEEZUS for the campy sappy over done giggly laffy phoney Christmas stuff LOL ..
(sorta missing Pratt) but still luvin Y&R..
GOOD GAWD AMIGHTY CHILD. Did you bump Yo haid???
Merry Christmas, davlestev1 ..
No, I did not bump my head so I can’t use it as an excuse lol ..
That type of gooey sap dialogue is just Not Natural Speak .. It’s too Cutesie.
Genoa City is Dullsville..
Nothing going on that would be considered as gripping drama yeah know something a bit suspenseful or even exciting .
At the least, they could unleash Krampus!
We’ll all have `Watcher Diabetes` from an overdose of Christmas sugar.
Soaps ARE drama and at the present, Y&R is greatly lacking in delivering it..
But– I’m still luvin’ Y&R ..
I’ll second that! Miss Pratt? you’ve got to be joking!
suoo, I wish you’d look up the word “sappy” because you don’t seem to be clear on its meaning.
You were correct when you used to praise RC’s campy writing on GH. Now that was camp. Back then you used “campy” as compliment and now you seem to use it as an insult.
But unless you’re counting the fabulous Gloria, Y&R is not utilizing camp right now. It is currently grounding their characters back into reality and writing them in character rather than out of character.
Is Y&R kind of sappy right now? Yes, but I prefer to say it is sentimental.. But campy? No.
Hi Addison..
Ok– Sappy-
Excessively sentimental; mawkish.
Sad or romantic in a foolish or exaggerated way.
There is all types of camp like the B-Westerns are cheesy campy.
Japanese science fiction films such as Rodan are pure exaggerated camp.
And, the difference between “naive” and “deliberate” camp… like; naive camp is tasteless deliberate camp..
A fav is Mommie Dearest that was attempting to produce a serious movie that wound up unintentionally comedic dark camp lol
The Superman movie #1 Superman was screwball campy !!
And Yuck camp like-
Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Female Trouble, Polyester, Cecil B. Demented etc..
More and different campy– Batman probably the first Super Hero television campiness, and the original Star Trek.
And- The Munsters, The Addams Family pure screwball camp
and exaggerated comedy like Get Smart was Yuk Camp.
There is people/persons camp like- Divine, RuPaul, Paul Lynde, and Liberace Campy .
And– “cheesy” camp and ”sappy” camp.. exaggerated Drama camp.
There are all types of camp..
more-
Some fans describe Dark Shadows as totally serious horror-driven program, while others loved it for the Exaggeration and hidden humour. It is true camp, ”Drama” camp.
and–
Some soap scenes are like the Simpsons camp’ to be tragically ludicrous or ludicrously tragic.. lol
“camp” can always be interpreted in at least two ways and the Y&R Christmas stuff is pure ”sappy” camp…
I do think that some soaps do campy but I don’t think any soap does it all the time..
It is all the charms of a soap opera..
MERRY CHRISMAS!!
Merry Christmas to you, Miss SUOO!
And I stand corrected. I meant you need to look up the word “campy” not “sappy”
While I love Y&R’s sentimentality, I can totally understand why you might call it sappy.
As you young folks say, my bad.
Y&R HAS ALREADY GOTTEN BETTER .SO GLAD PRATT’S GONE.
Goodness suOOO, What do you want? More plane crashes, fires, explosions??? I’m SO over the Pratt crap. He and Jill Firing Phelps couldn’t have left sooner.
Can I ask you a question? How long have you been watching Y&R?
This was a well written Christmas episode. The way they used to be.
Please stop whining. Do you want JFP and Pratt back!!!
Hi Gina ..
LOL you are Whining over my opinion .. 😉
Merry Christmas!
The Holidays, the REAL ONES ..
—- MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!! HO HO HO !!!
C’mon, bring it in for a big group Christmas
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HUG }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
I Wish you all peace and joy and lots of food and gifts!
Enjoy every moment with family and friends!
AND—–
Hanukkah, the annual Jewish Festival of Lights, overlaps with Christmas this year—an occurrence that hasn’t happened since 1978 and won’t take place again until 2027. (( begins this year on Dec. 24.
To All celebrating Hanukkah-
!!! Wishing you a great joyful Hanukkah !!!
— Love & Peace —
Dear Michael Fairman..
Have a great Christmas or Holiday!
Wishing you JOY, LOVE, and HAPPY HAPPY food and gifts!
God Bless ..
Merry Christimas Su!
That was very sweet of you, su0000! Wishing you and your loved ones as well as all the other terrific people posting at this site and site moderators a wonderful holiday season!
Take care, Friends! 🙂
The show is actually uncomfortable to watch now (if you can stay awake through the boredom that is). The horrible dialogue, the cringe-worthy “acting” (will Steve Burton’s face crack if he ever changes his expression?), the endless scenes about…nothing. This show has reverted to the 80s, and that is not a good thing.
Well, I most respectfully disagree. If it has reverted back to the 80’s, it’s in order to go back to the characters and their histories. I feel Sally Sussman is putting the chest pieces (Lauren and Michael back in their apartment with Gloria, Esther back at the Chancellor mansion as a maid, etc).back in their rightful positions in order to propel move the characters forward. Yes, I shall use an over used phrase because it’s appropriate–what you will have in 2017 will be well written character driven stories.
Maybe the repair period is dull for you but fasted your seat belts, the subsequent days will be a bumpy and fun ride.
I am afraid I do agree with you about Buurton. I think he’s a good actor it’s just they keep putting him in these cringe worthy situations where all he can do is sit there frowning like Charlie Brown on Christmas. It’s hard to watch him.
Addison, good response.
Me is right.
Y&R has felt like total filler material and endless long chatting about nothing.
I will start calling her Snoozefest Sally if the boring episodes and slow pace continue into Jan.
hi Newmanwins and Me..
I agree with both of you..
Y&R is imo reverting back to the snooze fest of Jean and Shelly’s writing.
IMO this episode proves you don’t need computer viruses, super evil villains or look a likes taking over a life– to have drama– yes it is a more subtle form of drama– but the whole episode although focus on the holiday the undercurrents were all there– who is Bella’s father– the tension between two brothers, a family struggling with forgiveness, torn between a life time of love and deep hurt- financial worries- dealing with profound loss and so many other conflicts and secrets– all there as everyone gathered to celebrate. And drama is authentic– could be happening to any of us– a fight between spouses (Devon and Hilary) dealing with misbehaving children (Victoria and her kids at the coffee house)- a child tracking Santa journey on the computer (Faith)– the traditions kept (Newman’s) the traditions broken (the Abbott’s)– there was a lot going on– but it isn’t thrown in your face like plot driven drama– this kind of drama you actually have to paid attention to, listen to the words being said and what is not being said–
It was truly a Merry Christmas for soap viewers—looking forward to a better New Year in soaps as well.
I agree Mary SF…and this is just the beginning…From the past several years, I think we need a little down time for the holidays then after the first of the year I know that things will heat up.
Amen Mary you said it so well.
Well said! I watched my DVDs of ATWT Xmas episodes and was struck how daytime dramas, inc Y&R, really made the most of the holiday and their characters to tell stories. Y&R has launched a strong reboot and I am amazed how the new writers are able to move us past the train wreck of tales we have endured in the last decade. I am excited for 2017.
Couldn’t have said it better, 2me it’s a snoozeeeee….
I agree with all the positive comments about the new direction Y&R is taking. It feels like going home and right now Y&R is reminding me a little bit of OLTL and that is a good thing.
My only quibble is I think the character of Faith is a petulant, spoiled little brat. For the love of all that is Holy, can someone please stand up to Rhoda, er, I mean Faith, and tell her that she will live where her parents tell her to live.
She ditches poor Dylan and Sharon on Christmas and you see her gleefully being spoiled by her grandparents during Christmas. She never once stops to worry about her mother and Dylan who have not only lost Sully, they’ve lost her too.
Footnote: MY Rhoda joke alludes to an old movie called “The Bad Seed.” Rhoda was the name of the evil little girl.
Other than a few cool flashbacks and some nice nods to history, Sally’s first three weeks have been very boring and slow paced episodes, and so far her writing style doesn’t look like there will be much riveting compelling drama in 2017. Y&R has literally nothing interesting on the horizon going into Feb sweeps, since Sally says we don’t need Adam back and therefore the Chloe reveal is being shelved, and her first three weeks in Dec and her preview for the month of Jan wasn’t and doesn’t sound like entertaining soap.
Sally’s idea of exciting reveals and worthy cliffhangers are the following….
Mariah tripping and falling on live television, Summer’s birthday party at the underground, Phyllis dying her hair blond, Faith running away, Victoria and Billy breaking inventory while giggling like idiots, and Devon and Hillary moving to a penthouse.
Where is the drama? Where is the buildup to something? Not the most entertaining headwriter .
Pratt was never boring and had improved under Mal’s watch.
On Faith, I agree with you Addison. I think she’s acting out like a spoiled brat. I’m also fed up with Nick. As some may think what he did was a kind jester, I think was mean. He walks into the house lets Dylan hold the baby then all goes back to the way it was. I can’t wait until Nick (the other spoiled brat) finds out Christian isn’t his. Nick darn well knows that Nikki & Victor treat her like rubbish so she won’t get to see Faith much but he stands there and does nothing because he can go over whenever he wants too. Faith needs to be told she’s going on the schedule they made up PERIOD. Victor & Nikki need to respect what the parents say and butt out and Faith needs to learn how lucky she is to have parents who love her. A lot of kids only wish to have a family to go home to. JMO
Meant to say Nick knows Victor & Nikki treat Sharon like rubbish.
Yes, Miss Nikki, and yet they referred to Nick acting like a human being for one split second as a “Christmas Miracle.”
Okay, I guess I do have some complaints about Y&R.
you will probably be waiting a long time for the reveal of christian’s biological father because the new head writer already said it will not be revealed for a good while if ever……………..
Nikki…BOTH EXACTLY AND THANK YOU!!!!! At this point, Nick is nothing but A SELF-RIGHTEOUS MORON!!!!! Watching that BUFFOON Nick is like watching Victor #2 (or whatever)!!!!! Beyond ick.
Later, Nikki.
I wasn’t expecting this from Nick it really shows what kind of man he really is.
Loved that Nick let Dylan and Sharon see baby Christian brought tears to my eyes.
Nick your such a sweetheart to take Christian to see Sharron and Dillon you didn’t have to.
He is a absolute flaming a hole
LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT SALLYS GOING TO DO WITH SHARON .AFTER THE CRAP SHES BEEN THROUGH THE PAST YEARS.
Y&R is nap time. The 80’s were great…in the 80’s. This is an entirely different century and rehashed 30 year old plots acted by actors doing the same things thirty years later has no appeal except for those who’ve been around long enough to be nostalgic. Pratt WAS bad. I’ve seen nothing so far to suggest soapy Sally is any better. Most of Sussman’s favorite characters have been totally trashed and having them sit around looking regretful doesn’t change that. It will take real skill and smart, 21st century story-telling to fix this mess for the present. The future should not ever be a dusted off rerun of the past IF relevance is the goal and the key demo matters. Sorry Sally. Fuzzy wuzzy memory lane is coma inducing. Even Days is much more interesting. Get out of the time machine and join us for 2017. Otherwise, NEXT!!