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’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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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.