News
Y&R's EP Jill Farren Phelps On How The Show Will Deal With The Death Of Jeanne Cooper in Tribute & In Story!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Everyone has been wondering just what will The Young and the Restless do now that Jeanne Cooper passed away last week to honor her, and what will happen to the character of Katherine Chancellor? Ending any rumors that they would replace Cooper, Katherine will indeed meet her maker, but as of yet the series hasn’t quite figured that all out as they want her death to make an impact in the story.
As for honoring the one, thee only Jeanne Cooper, as previously reported last week, Y&R and CBS will air a tribute episode in honor of Jeanne on May 28th, which they are set to tape this week! Here are a few excerpts on the details from Y&R’s executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps who spoke with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan!
Jill on the on-air plans to honor Jeanne Cooper: “We’re going to have the actors closest to Jeanne — probably 25 in all — sit in the Chancellor mansion set and tell stories and reminisce about her life, as themselves. We’ll serve tea and let everyone talk and cry and laughs and share and we’ll find the best photos and clips we can get our hands on and edit it all together into a beautiful celebration episode. This is all for Jeanne. And then later we will deal with the death of Kay Chancellor. We’ve already written the show into July, so it will take some time before we can address her departure on air. In the meantime, there will be references in the script that Katherine and her husband Murphy are off somewhere on a trip.”
Jill on will Kay’s death help generate new story on the canvas: “We have not yet decided how Kay’s life will actually end, but we are talking a bit already about what she will leave in her wake. It will be something that will leave the memory of Kay Chancellor deeply imbedded in everyone in Genoa City. What happens to Chancellor Industries? What decisions did Kay make in the event of her death? The ramifications need to be big.”
Jill on if the writer’s knew that the May 3rd episode was to be Cooper’s last: “I assure you we had no idea it would be the last time she’d be with us on the set. She actually ad-libbed her final word, ‘Goodnight. That wasn’t us. It was all her. And how great that her final scene was with Jess Walton of all possible people. It was so right.
To find out who all will be appearing as part of the tribute make sure to read the whole article from TVG! So Y&R and Jeanne fans, how do you feel Y&R should kill-off Kay Chancellor? Are you glad the chose to honor Jeanne with the special episode? Share your thoughts!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.
According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.
Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene, Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.
WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?
Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”
The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”
MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE
In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.
Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.
So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week agoHow John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
-

Breaking News6 days agoJohn Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
-

Days Of Our Lives5 days ago‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
-

General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
-

Breaking News1 week agoHayden Panettiere, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum, Dead at 36
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Sharon, Nick and Marie Struggle in Aftermath of a Relapse; Jade Harlow Shares She’s ‘Really Proud’ and ‘Grateful’ to ‘Show How Addiction Can Touch Anyone’ (Exclusive)
-

News1 week agoB&B’s Don Diamont Recalls His Soap Start on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Confrontation with Exec Prod Al Rabin (Exclusive ‘Soapy’ Preview)

















Mrs. C should just past in her sleep just like Jeanne Cooper did……she has been told to rest and to rest a lot so it would just be natural for her pasting to happen this way.
I agree with her passing in her sleep like she did. No drama just peaceful. Please do not make it a unreal passing like a plane crash, or boat accident. Let her rest in peace like she did in real life…Murphy should stay in the story line for a while, and then maybe he misses her so much that he passes on also.
The Chancellor jet goes down with Katherine and Murphy aboard…classic soap opera.
I think you are right. This was my best guess and now that scene is being played out to have the plane crash during a bad storm. What I haven’t figured out yet is those waiting for her return can glean any information from the post cards they all received? Guess I will soon see!
I am so very happy that a special tribute episode is being done for the wonderful Jeanne Cooper… She will be so missed!
I think that between the family at y and r and her children you will make it what would fit Mrs. C in the best lite and what would be her. It’s got to be her exit her way. Because what we the fans saw of her that’s the only way any of us can start to let her go is knowing she did it “Her way”.
It would seem a blot clot complication from her surgery would make sense. The funeral should be a celebration of her life, reaching back decades into the show, with ol old characters hearing of her death on the news, in international corporate news stories and flying to GC to pay their respects. They could revisit all the past dram she was involved with. Even pulling Derek back to stir things up with Jill, have Jill’s brothers, the original Brooks family, there is so much potential. A Portrait of Mrs. C should be added to the set in the Chancellor Manshion for the fans and cast as well. I do think the cast tribute later this month will be very appropriate. Would like SOAPNet or CBS televise the real funeral so the fans can participate–whe had millions who would want to be there in spirit if not in person.
Love the idea “televise the real funeral so the fans can” view!
im with everything you said…
Reading the interview makes me miss her even more. She was truly fabulous! And to mentor a new actress is truly wonderful. She didn’t have to do that. She wanted to. How lucky that gal was for even the short time she was mentored. And how lucky we were to have her on our show.
If it were my choice I would have an entire week dedicated to her…but realize that is unrealistic…haha. Though, I would hope that if they plan on 25+ people sharing stories they spread it out over 2 shows. Otherwise it could be really rushed. Hope they bring back actors from the past since it is the actors, not the characters sharing memories it would not matter if their character id dead or no longer around.
I suppose they could have Katherine die from an aneurism, something related to the brain tumor. This would be sudden and unexpected.
I am looking forward to the tribute show because it is going to be personal- like attending a memorial for someone, but right in my living room. I was hoping they might have a spot to read e-mails from fans, telling how she touched their lives too, but I know that might take more than one show. I just hope Jeanne knew how loved she was while she was still with us. I think she did, and knowing she ad lib the line Goodnight in her final scene, just makes me more certain, she was saying goodbye to all of us and that she loved all her fans as much as we loved her.
As for Katherine I am glad they are not recasting and I know they will figure out the perfect ending for her that will leave GC shaken for years to come. I’m sure they will make Jeanne proud.
Thank goodness JFP is saying these great things and doing the right things (so far so good it sounds like). I can’t wait to hear what Mrs. C leaves for everyone in her will!
I think it would be nice to let her pass in her sleep like she did, as someone else said. I hope they keep Murphy in the show. I think he is a great actor an seems so nice. Maybe he should run Chancellor or have a part in it that doesn’t always “gel” with Jill. I don’t know, but definitely wouldn’t even attempt to replace her. That would seem disrespectful and would be “impossible” anyway, in my opinion. Thank you for taking time to update the “Y&R” fans; I’m sure I’m not the only person wondering. RIP Katherine; you were awesome!
Allow Katherine the same dignity of passing in her sleep as Jeanne did. As to people wanting the real funeral telecast. Thats’ just not right or fair to her family and friends. I’m sure Corbin, Collin and Caren want the fans to remember their mother as we knew her. The funeral is a time for them and their families to be with friends and relatives and not have to even give a thught to cameras, photographers or journalists bothering them at a time like that..
I also vote for her passing in her sleep! It is fitting with her last scene and it is the kindest way. I had hoped that Michael Learned would come back as Katherine and she get a more planned death but I also see the point in letting the character end with the lst time we saw Jeanne. I hope they do it well and don’t just drop her character like she was never there. Katherine was Y&R and she will be missed incredibly!
I look forward to the tribute and hope they do justice to the lovely Jeanne!!!
I agree, she should die in her sleep, but I would like to see her having written a note to each of her family members which would lead to more story lines. Start the letter with something like “I couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to let each of you know how I feel about you…….”I would love to see that she has a long lost sister somewhere that comes to give everyone a run for their money in running C. Industries.
Rest in Peace Ms. Cooper. You touched all of our lives in so many ways.
Now you and Mrs. C and Marge can laugh at all of us down here who are
still striving to get it right. Prayers of my family are for the comfort of your
family and close friends.
I agree she should pass in her sleep. You could have a weeks worth of episodes with each character learning of her passing, reacting, flashing back to different exchanges with Katherine. Then that person tells another person and so on. Then have the funeral at the end of the week.
I think Father Todd should do her funeral on the show. what better tribute than her own son doing it. Ms. C. you will be missed.
I might not agree with everything JFP has done in the way of SB but I want to thank her and commend her for giving this great actress a proper send off. I say thank you from this diehard CBS fan.
i think her tv son should do a memorial service for ms c and all of her tv family to celebrate ms c life She is a special lady I am looking forward to the tribute episode RIP JEANNE COOPER
I am so happy that you will be airing a tribute to Jeanne Cooper. It is certainly appropriate and will also help to give closure to her fans. The show will not be the same without Jeanne. It was very sad reading and hearing about her passing. She has come into our homes and has been a part of our lives for so many years. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her Y&R family. Jeanne you are dearly missed.
I think MS C should die in her sleep. She made the show on the first date she came
On she was a class A act. I loves Ms.C. and I agree with someone else who wrote on th blog Father Todd should proform the service(if he can) . May God Bless Each And Everyone Of You AS You Continue this journey. And Ms C. Would be so proud. I LOVE Y&Y. Please keep up the good work. Love you guys.
video the funeral and let us all be a part of it. She is like a long time friend who has passed.
just say she died quietly in her sleep, a fitting end. best wishes to the soul that departed. goodnite!..perfect end…
Just a peaceful passing, no violent death
? I was thinking since her last scenes were with Jill, maybe the scene should open w/ Jill on the phone w/ Murphy one morning. Murph says that he had to run to the drug store for Kay. Jill could be saying something about how nice it was that Kay & he was able to have some time away to rest up. But, she’s even happier that they returned home last night. Murph could ask to speak w/ Kay. Jill tells him that she thinks Kay is still sleeping. Murph asks Jill to call him back. They hang up. Jill walks up to Kay’s room & knocks. She calls Kay’s name. She quietly cracks open the door. The only thing you see is a look of shock on Jill’s face as she swings the bed room door wide open. (close scene) (Next day scene opens) The next thing we see is the family solemnly gathered in the living room discussing arrangements & such.