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Y&R's Doug Davidson Interview: Going For Lead Actor Gold Two Years In A Row – Daytime Emmy Spotlight!
Courtesy/HeraldSunAU
Currently on The Young and the Restless, Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) is fighting for his life, and on today’s episode his brother, Father Todd (Corbin Bernsen), even comes to the hospital! Things are not looking good! And then there is the matter of Dylan (Steve Burton) … will Paul survive to learn he has another son? Looks like that material could give Doug Davidson some Emmy fodder for next year.
But let’s talk about this year! Davidson is nominated again the Outstanding Lead Actor category and going for his second win in a row in the category! Can he do the two-peat? In his nominated work, Doug chose the scenes where Paul tries to talk Jamie (Daniel Polo) down from the roof and committing suicide, and then next going to see the parents of the teens responsible for almost driving the down-on-his-luck kid to the brink of death. Davidson was again at his best.
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Doug to get his thoughts leading in to Daytime Emmy night this Sunday. The awards will be live-streamed at www.daytimeemmys.net beginning at 5PMPST/8PMEST. Read on to find out his thoughts are on his competition, his choice of scenes, some suggested Emmy category reform, and more!
You are going for your second straight Lead Actor Emmy win, why did you choose the scenes you submitted?
Courtesy/CBS
DOUG: The truth of the matter is – this past year I had one show to submit in my estimation. The rest just wasn’t Emmy appropriate. I even considered changing categories, because it was not about my story, but about the story of Jamie (Daniel Polo) and the Baldwins (Christian LeBlanc and Tracey E. Bregman) and Phyllis (then, Michelle Stafford), etc. I was definitely a supporting player in this, but after conferring with the academy and my producers, they thought it’s not measured by the story, but measured by your tenure on the show. So I kept it in the “Lead” category. But the scenes were about keeping Jamie from jumping off the roof and committing suicide. I go over and talk to Phyllis in harsh terms about that she has got to keep tabs on her daughter and not let her bully. And when Jamie confessed to Paul that he wasn’t pushed by Fen (Max Ehrich), then Paul also went to the Baldwins and told them their son is not guilty of that, but that in Paul’s judgment Fen is not innocent at all in this.
It’s a touching performance, and in it you get to play tender, tough, remorseful, etc!
DOUG: I was playing a guilty parent giving advice to Phyllis. There was frustration and hurt. I was pleading because as Paul. He was pleading about the death of his own son (Ricky) and that he did not want to see another useless death by Jamie jumping off the roof.
Courtesy/HLN
Were you surprised that you got recognized in the category again this year by your peers?
DOUG: I will be very surprised if I go home this year with another trophy, but I felt there was honesty to the work that I was hoping would be appealing to the Emmy judges. The nature of the contest is structured as such that although it represents a year of work sometimes even more, that what they are really judging is a three or four minute clip of scenes for the pre-noms, and then judging if you get pre-nominated …one episode. For everything to work out right there is a convergence of writing and commitment on the shows part, and then as an actor when you are given the material to perform it. That is why I think the thing I am most proud of this year is the people I am grouped with in my category who are the nominees, and even in the pre-noms. There are some very, very fine actors in there. I will not be disappointing if anyone one of them wins.
And one again it’s all the men from The Young and the Restless competing against each other and General Hospital’s Jason Thompson! Why do you think the Leading Actor category, for the most part, is always dominated by performances from your show?
DOUG: We have wonderful actors on our show. I don’t think anybody takes it for granted, and the fact that they work so hard is a testament to our producers and our CBS executives. We want to put the best show on possible. I always thought in the last couple of years that we have had some very fine performances from storyline guest performers too!
Courtesy/IMDB
So you think like many others that have suggested that there should be added to the mix a “Guest Star” performance category … like they have at the Primetime Emmys?
DOUG: I think there should be! I have a bit of an issue with the label of the “Younger” performers’ category, because I don’t necessarily know if you are going to be getting an Emmy-winning performance from a 12 year old, and if you do, then they should be able to handle it with the rest of the “Supporting” group. And I am not slamming the younger kids by any means, but if it’s that touching and moving … you are giving them a handicap for being young. And at the Oscars, young or old, they go into a Supporting category if there work is lauded.
What did you think of the performances of Younger Actor nominees Daniel Polo and Max Ehrich (Fen), since you had the opportunity to work with both in the bullying storyline?
DOUG: I think Daniel is a marvelous young actor and Max is too! They are both so deserving of their Younger Actor nomination, for sure.
Were you an Emmy judge this year? If so, what category? And how did you feel the competition stacked up?
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
DOUG: I judged Supporting Actress. I will say, without naming names, without a doubt I picked two effortlessly for the first two spots, and even for the third. I did have trouble with spot five. Also when I looked at the pre-nom tapes/reels; there are some really unheralded performances when people are in for six weeks or six months on a show. I think if there is some way we could phrase a new category for them, I think that would be great. For example when Ray Wise (Ian,) first came to our show, he was not scheduled to be on as long as he is now, so he would have been considered perhaps then a “guest star”! His expertise, his finesse, his colors, his depth, is not easy to do ladies and gentlemen! To make all of that fly is not an easy feat. There is no handicap there. He either makes it work or he doesn’t make it work. So to honor some of those “guest stars” would be interesting.
Watch Doug’s nominated reel below! Then, let us know what you thought of it and his chances on Emmy night? What did you think of Doug’s thoughts on the Younger acting categories and a move to bring a Guest Star performance category? Share your comments below!
Think he should go in supporting. Good luck.
Would be awesome were he to win again … but I think this year it’s Jason Thompson’s to lose. He was fantastic in 2013 … and 2012!!!
Can’t wait for the show. Super excited to hear Kathy Griffin will be hosting.
first and foremost : NICE press Doug Davidson on Ray Wise !
isn’t he superlative.
“… His expertise, his finesse, his colors, his depth, is not easy to do ladies and gentlemen!”
Oye ! what a coop!
would that he could have been a recast for Victor Newman !
he’s astounding…
for the love of Serial
put him with : Gloria or Ashley
LOL… if he’s not too old for Ashley… certainly would be more plausible than Eric Braedon
i’m overcome with his chutzpah : Je ne sais quoi
is Eric Braedon still culling his own identity
* is Eric Braedon still mulling his own belong and identity
paul is a great actor as many in the show I think they all desevere one been watching since I was 13 and am now 66 I still love the show will always watch its like my family now sounds funny but true please never take it off the air hearts would be broken that’s for sure love to all
Doug Davidson surely deserves another Emmy. Doug has been on Y&R for over 30 years and has always exhibited emmy award winning performances!! I believe his idea for guest appearences awards is a great idea.
Y & R I have watched forever.
Enjoyed it more years ago.
Storylines now are insane, stupid & the new characters really do not care about.
They are wooden & the old timers are carrying them, ‘cept for Stitch,
Noah only new kid on the block that is ok.
Courtney as a cop, LOL!!!
Mariah, getting her position on the show, not in the real world.
..Worse is Tyler, no expression & w/his gal pal, another dumb blonde, wasn’t she leaving ?
I switch to Dr Oz. when any of the new crowd comes on they are boring & miserable actors.
New writers & people who can act would raise the ratings.
Agree totally with your comments Char….with the exception of Stitch. Liked him at first…now I can’t stand the character. He has become an a/hole, overbearing and so sure he is going to win the woman. I think Elizabeth Hendrickson should have won instead of Amelia Heinle…..her acting was not on the same level by any means. Tyler and Abby need to go. I can’t stand that self entitled blonde bimbo. Plus she can’t act her way out of a paper bag. That incessant laugh after ever sentence she utters drives me crazy.
Sorry to be critical, but this show is not what it was when I first began watching it. It has gone downhill since JFP assumed the reins as EP. The s/lines now go on and on….so much so that I lose interest in the altogether.
I won’t even start with Neil and Hillary…..he is old enough to be her father….disgusting.
Stitch & his secret getting annoying..it better be a humdinger,
Not he ran over a dog or help kill a dying man in the hospital.
who was 109
Hilary can’t stand her,, AND the esq , Avery;s partner always looks mad w/teeth & chin prortruding is not believable she is an esq like the oither dumb blonde Courtney is a cop!!!
Call Central Casting..the cast here other than the “adult” actors who have been around awhile,..should go asap not believable..nor can they act
Hope the new Michael is better than the new BILLY.
However, doubt it…waiting for another disappointment..maybe just keep showing his hand & other body parts..might be more exciting that the whole person.
This Billy does Not fill the role..looks like a stranger to Victoria.
I’d unload him quickly.. BILLY ROLE IS A REVOLVONG DOOR of lousy actors..
Can’t wait til red head Phyllis returns..hope she has sparkle & vinegar & better than the broads on this show. who are so .BORING!!!!!
I love Doug, so deserving. But this year I would rrally love to see Jason Thompson win, his year of playing Patrick, seeing his dead wife return was phenominal!
I so agree Eileen. It should have been a tie…..Billy Miller AND Jason Thompson.
Doug Davidson’s voice control was on point in these scenes. I agree with DD he should be in supporting actor category. TPTB, namely JFP, pulling her inflated ego he should be in Lead based on tenure. Such crap.
Best wishes Doug. You’re a wonderful actor.
OMG. I forgot about these scenes; Doug Davidson’s performance was absolutely visceral. Everything he was putting out there…. I could FEEL it, very intensely. He is an extraordinary actor and I think he should always win!
On a side note; oh, how I miss my Stafford on Y&R. She and Doug were two of my very favorite actors and I loved every scene they did together.
Congratulations to all of the nominees and thank you for giving so much of yourself to these fascinating characters that we all love.
How right you are. Doug always delivers; as did Michelle Stafford and Billy Miller. I miss those two terribly. It just isn’t the same watching Ms. Stafford on GH. I suppose I will have to get used to it.
If I my feelings for Y&R were lukewarm when my favourite characters left; well, I now only watch the show once or twice a week; since the new Billy. Good grief! This guy, my apologies, distorts the screen–one extreme to the other. ( I do not mean DT) He looks scraggly and nondescript. No Abbot, he !! He does not fit the profile. Not only does he look whitewashed, but also his acting is forced. I protest!
just put on y & r and heard them say the role of billy abbott was being played by so and so. so disappointed. not happy with this new guy. don’t care what shows he came from. hes not Tom. this new guy has such a flat affect. so different from billy. ugh!!
Eric Braeden knows exactly who he is, an accomplished actor of many years with many roles to his credit. Try another post and use ur head this time!
Michael M. as Adam should not & could not be replaced
He was an excellent actor.
Is it really true what he did or did they just have a fight & Hunter fig. let’s kick him out?
Shame..the powerful actors Michelle s, Michael, the old Billy..brought excitement to their roles. Now the characters are bland & boring,
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”
Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
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