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
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.
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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.