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Y&R's Gina Tognoni Dishes The Return Of The Fiery Phyllis, The Plot To Bring Down Victor, And Is Billy Set To Win Red's Heart?

Courtesy/CBS

Courtesy/CBS

A year ago last spring, Phyllis wed the wrong guy! Instead of spending her honeymoon with Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), she was with his evil doppelganger, Marco Annicelli.  Duped in the most intimate of ways, all thanks to a ‘trading places’ initiative set in motion by Jack’s number one enemy, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), Phyllis months later found out the horrible truth.

While Jack never seemed to get payback or retribution to what Victor did to him, his wife, or his family, Phyllis never forgot.  Now hell bent on bringing Victor Newman to his knees, Phyllis is scheming in her own way to bring down the moustache!  Her first order of business was to enlist her brother-in-law, Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) in this vendetta.  Both have been wronged by Victor, professionally and personally, and their mutual disdain for the man has brought them together in a computer caper they hope will land this groundbreaking software program in their hands, and the bogus one in Victor’s.   They have even enlisted computer nerd and hacker, Natalie (Mara McCaffrey) to help their cause, but it does not come without massive complications.  Natalie is working for Victor under the watchful eye of Victoria!  Ah, and things are about to get even messier.  And let’s not forget: it is Phyllis who had Adam (Justin Hartley) kidnapped, but no one has yet uncovered that truth.  When they do … what will happen?

On-Air On-Soaps sat down with two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Gina Tognoni to get her thoughts on Phyllis’ hot new storyline where for the first time since Gina has taken over the role, Phyllis is the one pulling the strings as a woman deeply troubled by the events that transpired.  With her marriage to Jack on the rocks, and becoming much closer to Billy, it would appear it’s only a matter of time before Billy and Phyllis will hit the sheets causing a seismic shift in their relationships with Jack and Victoria (Amelia Heinle).  During our conversation, Gina weighs-in on working with Jason Thompson as the new Billy, if she thinks Phyllis is headed down a dark path that may leave her struggling to hold on to her sanity, or if she thinks Phyllis can win and take the power once and for all from Victor, and more.  Here’s Gina on all things Phyllis.

Phyllis is taking matters into her own hands.  Viewers have wanted to see the fiery Phyllis!  I think for awhile, fans of the show were going, “What happened to her? She has just become this married lady!”

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

GINA:  I think what’s happening now is great.  I think it’s a product of the story when we were focusing on Jabot, and getting it back on its feet.  And then we had Burgess Jenkins (Ex-Billy) moving out, and Jason Thompson coming in, so that had its place, but yes, it’s time to see Phyllis fight a bit.  It’s exhausting to play physically, and don’t know why! (Laughs), but I love it!  As an actress you have to pull the emotions from somewhere that will resonate with people.  Every day we have been having these stand-off scenes, and in the thick of it with Victor and Jack, and Phyllis trying to make Victor pay, and all the ways we can do that.  The stakes are high.  This is all coming from the fact that Marco violated Phyllis, but it was Victor who truly violated Phyllis in a way that is hard for her to articulate and is very upsetting to her, because she lost some control.

And there were some story points within the Jack doppelganger arc that fans questioned and wanted answers to.

GINA:  Yes, we did take some heat for the Marco story and fans questioned, “How did she not know?”   What I like is that we are addressing it now in episodes that are coming up that show what her mindset was.   So I like it, because we have a good story.

Courtesy/CBS

After all, Marco infiltrated Phyllis’ life!  At the time this all happened to her, Phyllis’ reactions, emotions, and the fallout for her were not really dealt with. 

GINA:  No, they didn’t deal with it then … they held on to that.  Now Phyllis is starting to rattle, which is what is great about what is happening now.

You are now working a lot with Jason Thompson as the new Billy.  How is that going?

GINA:  I love it.  I also want to say I do miss Burgess Jenkins a lot, and I miss Burgess as human being.  He is a great guy.

You could see they were building the relationship between Phyllis and Billy even when Burgess was still at Y&R.

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:  Yeah, they were.   They were building a friendship, because they are both passionate in what they do.  Now, I’m seeing on Twitter that Phyllis and Billy are going to hook-up.   All I can say to that, and hope as Gina, is they don’t do it to quick.   I want to earn whatever happens.   I have said that before, and I will keep saying it:  I think the audience deserves to get the chance to invest in the characters.  In my career in soaps, I have had it where things happen to quick or the audience is not invested, or I have had them invested and then we lost them.    I’ve experienced it all.  I have been doing this for twenty plus years.  The one thing I don’t want is to disappoint the audience.

Do you get to voice your concerns to the powers-that-be over story, if there is anything you may want clarification on, etc?

GINA:   I will talk to anyone who will listen.  We are family here.   We all care about this show so much.  My job is to make this work, and I will make this work as best I can.   But I have feelings about things sometimes, sure.

Had you seen Jason Thompson’s previous work as Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital, before he took over the role of Billy Abbott?

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:   I had scene Jason’s work before on General Hospital and he was so good as a doctor, and this leading man with this gentle beautiful side.  Billy has a darker layer, and a compulsive layer, and to see Jason bring that forward is remarkable.  I know he’s pulling that from somewhere, and he is so interesting to watch.  Jason is a lovely human being, and professional. We are so lucky to have him.

This storyline is going to have huge ramifications for Jack, Victoria, Billy, and Phyllis, Victor, Summer (Hunter King), Luca (Miles Gaston Villenueva), etc!

GINA:  Yes, it’s going to be great for everybody.  Everyone has an objective, and what does that do to our relationships?  One of the things this show is great at is relationships and life.

In Phyllis’ mind, will she be satisfied and happy once she has the computer program and Victor takes a fall?

GINA:  One thing Phyllis said recently about when she feels things will be set right was … she will know it when she feels it.

Courtesy/CBS

We have seen Gina Tognoni in her soap opera career play crazy, having a mental breakdown etc.  I am referring to your Daytime Emmy-winning turn as Dinah on Guiding Light.  Could you see it going to that place here at Y&R for Phyllis?

GINA:   Yes … I think you can probably see her fall from grace.

Would you welcome the opportunity to take Phyllis to those dark, emotional depths?

GINA:  Yeah, I will do it, but I don’t like falling from grace because it hurts, but it usually brings out the best in me, and the best in the character.  We get to see her flaws and her cracks, and we see her vulnerability, and that has to go somewhere, because you don’t just want to stay there as just this just a crazy loony girl.  But, I would like to see Phyllis crack.

What do you think about Mara McCaffrey who playing hacker girl, Natalie?  Is Phyllis going to glam her up? (Laughs) You know if she takes off those glasses and lets down her hair … a Cinderella moment is awaiting!

GINA:  Mara McCaffrey is a terrific actress, people liked her right away.  She is just a bright light.   Isn’t that the first thing you want to do to her… glam her up?   She is so dang cute.

Courtesy/CBS

So what does Phyllis hope to accomplish by enlisting and entrusting Natalie in this double-crossing of Victor?

GINA:  Phyllis needs her technical savvy.  They need Natalie to develop a passkey, so Billy and Phyllis can get it back into their control.   Victor would have the dummy version, and they would have the good version.  They want Natalie to be fired by Victor, so they can hire her out in the open, and out right with their hands clean.  Phyllis and Billy really don’t want to lie anymore.  They say they are done lying to their spouses and that they don’t want to live their lives that way, but then something gets screwed up with that!

Another wrinkle is that Victoria is overseeing Natalie’s work on the computer program for Victor!

GINA:  Yes, and that presented a big problem.  When you read this stuff in the script, you think, “How is this going to work?”  But it’s interesting to watch, it’s almost like a tennis match – point won, point loss, another point won, and then another loss.  It starts to pick up a rhythm, and it’s cool.

Can we talk about this bombshell … Phyllis kidnapped Adam (Justin Hartley)!  What did you think when you first saw that in the script.  Were you like, “Say, what?”

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:  The first thing I did when I opened the script was say, “Can someone please tell me why I kidnapped Adam? (Laughs)  And then Justin Hartley said to me, “Why did you kidnap me?”   I go, “I don’t know, because I don’t like you?” (Laughs)  But the reason is because Adam is Victor’s child, and she felt that it would garner some attention. Phyllis gave clear directives to not hurt him.  I like it, because it kind of introduced us to the point in the story where Phyllis is not messing around.  She is like, “Don’t mess with me!”  So in a way, the kidnapping helped her get that point across.  I like the fact that no one saw that coming!

People know it’s a woman, who kidnapped Adam, but no one knows yet it was Phyllis behind it all.  That will be interesting when that bit of Intel comes out!

GINA:  Right, people know Adam’s kidnapper was a woman.  Adam heard the thug that was watching him on the phone talking to a woman.  Phyllis was controlling the situation from afar.  The thug did not know who Phyllis was, because it was all done through a burner phone, and he was probably paid by PayPal or something! (Laughs)

What did you think about the reveal?  The audience did not see that one coming.

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:  The audience was so thrown, and how nice to be able to throw them!  It’s hard to do that in these days, because we have to compete with Canada being a day ahead all of the time, etc.  It’s a good thing in this day and age to be able to surprise the audience.  I hope within this story there will be more surprises for them.

What has been the best part of playing this side of Phyllis in this story thus far?

GINA:  I’m out of a passive position and more in an active position, and not a reactor, but actually an influence in the story.   What was going on before was being part of the Abbott family.  I would not have the foundation of my relationship with Jack without all that has gone on before.  Right now, Phyllis is where she should be and I am happy for that.

You made the Pre-Nom list for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for this year’s Daytime Emmys.  What material did you go with that earned you a spot into the blue-ribbon round of voting?

GINA:  I used when Jack told Phyllis about Marco for the 4 minute reel to get the pre-nom.  We have these two cameramen Ty and Chico, and when I was done with these scenes that I chose for the pre-noms, they came from behind the camera and gave me a fist pump, and that to me meant the world and it was something that stuck out.  That warmed my heart.  I felt good about it and that I did not my job that day.

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

You have now been with Y&R for a year and half.  How has the journey been thus far?

GINA:  I feel like I’m in it, now it’s time to have fun.  I don’t know how much fun I was having at the end of day when I first started at Y&R, because I was working really hard. Now it’s a priority of mine to have fun and enjoy it.

What are fans saying to you the most about Phyllis on social media right now?

GINA:  I’m getting from the fans: “Love that fiery Phyllis”, or “I’m glad she’s back” as if she left! (Laughs)  They also tell me they love Billy/Phyllis/Jack and they really seem to be wrapping their arms around Billy.

People think you and Jason Thompson make a hot, good looking couple on-screen.  Thoughts?

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:  I have heard that!   I just don’t even go there, but he is just so gorgeous, so all I can say to the fans is, “thank you”.

So, could you see an on-screen catfight coming down the line between Phyllis and Victoria, where you and Amelia Heinle go at it over Billy?  Would you be willing to do a down in the mud type of soapy catfight, if the scene called for it?

GINA:   I like Amelia so much, and she inspires me.   Our job is to go there; I would do a mud fight if it’s well-directed and if I look good. (Laughs)  “Go for it” is my motto.

In closing, what should viewers be on the lookout for in the coming months from Phyllis as she takes control of her life, and shows some power?

Courtesy/CBS

GINA:   More fire, more ownership, more purpose in everything she does and to show Victor and anyone else, “You are not going to take my power away.  I will keep my power.” You will see me and you will hear me, because that is what Victor does.  He tries to take the power away from Phyllis, and Phyllis isn’t going to let that happen.  Does she win?  The audience says no one ever wins against Victor, but we are definitely going to see her try.  This is a powerful woman and I want to celebrate that.  I want to find it in myself, because God knows, I don’t always maintain that, but try to bring that out and own it.  You don’t always have to be the loudest in the room, and Phyllis can do this in lots of different ways and explore her power.  It’s cool to see a woman do that, I think.   I like being that woman.

So, what do you think of Phyllis’ plans for Victor? Will she get the retribution and payback she so wants? Are you enjoying seeing the fiery Phyllis rise again? What do you think of the on-screen chemistry between Gina Tognoni and Jason Thompson?  Are you rooting for Billy and Phyllis to start a romance?  What do you think about Phyllis being behind Adam’s kidnapping?  What will happen when Adam and Victor find out what she did?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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I for one would love to see Phyllis come out on top. I really like the idea of Victor being on the bottom of this one. Victor needs to be taught a lesson. I am tired of the Abbotts always losing. You go girl.

Amen Marie, agree with you. Victor Newman is a controlling bully. Victor needs to pay for his crimes.

Yes, he is, Ethan. But, what a performance today, by Eric B. Stellar!!
Is he repenting in his solitude? He’s quoting Frost, my favorite poet…..THE ROAD NOT TAKEN.
Is this what it will take to turn Victor around?

I agree, Victor needs to pay for ALL of his dirty deeds, and not pay someone off and continue his nastiness, sick of Victor (the character of). Eric Braden is a nice guy, I blame the writers for all this craziness, actually surprised he has not left the show. I hope someone will listen to Gina’s ideas, they didn’t listen to Jessica Collins or Burgess Jenkins and that’s why they left the show. They were awesome actors, what a loss. Burgess was a great Jack, they even look alike. Jason Thompson is a fantastic actor, but he is a little young for Phyllis,my opinion.

Oh my gosh I so agree with all of you. I am so sick of the Abbott’s always losing to Victor. I realize it’s a soap-opera and has need to have a villain but every so often the villain gets caught and loses this guy never loses and always ends up on top laughing at Jack after awhile it really gets sickening. I love Phyllis with Jack but there is no such thing as a happy couple on a soap so if she has to have an affair I would like to see her with Billy because I can’t stand Victoria and all her high standers she put’s on Billy, like poor Billy who Victor had locked up in a cave, ruined his wedding to say a couple but according to Victoria nobody can hurt daddy. She needs to go with daddy and leave Billy find someone else that will make him happy.

I disagree completely concerning Burgess. monashely….with all due respect. He lacked savoir faire….what it takes to attract an audience.
At the risk of sounding shallow, and I do apologize; usually, when an actor lacks good looks, he makes up for it with a polarizing personality and a devilish ‘tude’. In my opinion, he was awful. I doubt he left of his own accord. He just did not fit the part. The viewers were very vocal about this…well, most, anyway.
Ironically, and disappointedly, neither does Jason T. But he is, at least, debonair.
On another note…..This look-see into the future by Victor is a charade, fabricated only to feed the Dragon’s ego.
And, speaking of debonair and sexual attraction….I do not like the Luca-type….but, man, oh, man. Sparks everywhere!!!! With Victoria? I felt something. Who would have ‘thunk’? Calamitous.

IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF US FAITHFUL VIEWERS TO SEE VICTOR AT THE BOTTOM !!!

I agree wholeheartedly! I want to see Phyllis win against Victor. I want to see Victor knocked off his high horse. What he did last year to Jack and Phyllis was inexcusable and I am still pissed that Jack let him get away with it. I wish that Phyllis and Jack had partnered to get revenge.
I don’t want Phyllis to cheat on Jack with Billy.

I see only one winner in this story and it’s not Victoria. But nice try.

Nice interview. Good read.

I’m just tired of Amelia being screwed over and all her pairings stolen from her.

Her pairings stolen? Are yall serious? LOL.

What about those of us who have had to endure 5 rounds of Billy and Victoria doing the same tired, boring, tedious dance over and over. She is stuck up her daddy’s butt, he gets sick of it, he sleeps with someone else, she forgives him, they get back together, she is stuck up her daddy’s butt, he starts to drink/gamble, he cheats, blah blah blah. I am so tired of Victoria and Billy. They should have ended when Billy Miller left.

And you guys do Amelia Heinle or Victoria the character no favors when you act as though she can survive by herself for a while or make another pairing work.

I agree with you on everything. I’m so sick of Victoria.

I agree with Christina. Victoria is one of those women who is in love with love. Billy turned her head; and, albeit she has been under the influence of her father since…oh, gee, I don’t know; FOEVER???? Lol, she does defy him when the need calls for it.
I just do not see this Billy with her…nor Phyllis.
And, yes, her men have been ‘seized’ from her, in one way or another….including her mother, who slept with one of Victoria’s husbands.
Y&R is not what it used to be….its facade, its sense of romance and devil-may-care attitude has changed. …..namely Jack and Phyllis. Jack, the fiend has been turned into almost a saint. I remember his baser needs and his backstabbing ways well.
The same goes for Phyllis. Since when has Phyllis become the victim? She was the woman who loved to hate and vice versa. Now, we are given two very boring characters….add Billy to that list.

I agree. I don’t think anything is being “stolen” from Victoria. I enjoyed Billy and Victoria when Billy Miller was in the role but since then they have played this weird merry go round. It is boring. This recent reunion was rushed and I think that was because they knew they needed to introduce JT’s Billy via that pairing. I am not really feeling it because it seems clear they want to do Billy and Phyllis instead and I also find them repetive and boring. It would be good for Victoria to do something else. Fight Victor or something.

As for Billy and Phyllis? Not interested in that mess either. I was intrigued the first few scenes but after a month of them I am officially bored. They have no chemistry and the storyline is a snoozer. If this is suppose to be some epic triangle then it is already a fail. These writers needs to stop trying to hard to force things.

If the writers didn’t have her acting as a puppet for Victor, her life would be better, as usual the writers are responsible for this situation. Bill Bell is probably turning in his grave.

I have no interest in seeing Billy and Phyllis. That is enough to make be turn the channel.

Me, too, Kim.

Yup. You got it, Kim.
This whole thing….this explosion of ‘truth-time’ was contrived expressedly to start something between Billy and Phyllis. Neither is holding my interest.

I agree.

I don’t like Phyliss with Billy either. No real chemistry and just just too contrived.

BILLY AND PHYLLIS…NO WAY……SPARE US THIS STORY LINE….

Kim, what an out-of-this-world, en pointe post. I loved it !! kudos to you. You expressed exactly how I feel. I was so looking forward to both Jason T and Gina T. But, I feel so disillusioned.

ITA– she said viewers need time to invest in a couple, well I for one will never invest in a Billy Phyllis pairing —

I love Gina Tognoni as Phyllis, she is a wonderful actress. I hope she wins another Daytime Emmy this year.

I TOTALLY AGREE…SHE IS A TERRIFIC ACTRESS!!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!!!

I agree, Gina Tognoni certainly deserves to win one this year.

I did love the interview….her great insight, but she is turning Phyllis into someone I do not recognize.
If this is what TPTB want to accomplish…..to completely change Phyllis’s personality, intrinsic to her essenceher ; then I cede. But, what made Phyllis Phyllis was her mischievousness; her spunk, her joie de vivre…

Phyllis didn’t marry Marco. The switch was made after the wedding when she was taking a bath.

I like a fiery Phyllis and I like her scheming with billy. However I have no interest in them having an affair and see no romantic or sexual chemistry. There was no reason to reunite Villy if this is what they were oging to do. And for many of us Villy and Phack would be destroyed for good and yet I don’t see Philly ever being more than an affair. I have no interest in watching that.

Was the minister licensed? I have wondered. Then Phyllis and Jack would not be married!

I love Billy and Phyllis. Gina Tognoni has been knocking it out of the park. I agree with her points. My favourite one was her saying she was Jack’s step ford wife. So true.

I hope Billy and Phyllis slow burn, and fall for each other. Their chemistry is palpable.

I see no chemistry. The only thing they have in common is being closer in age. If Phyllis comes across as a Stepford wife, it is because she has not captured Phyllis’s aura, her persona. The real Phyllis, the one who stormed into Genoa City like a whirlwind, would have been kicking a$$ by now.
I am also so sick of TPTB not being realistic where Jack is concerned. He is too old to be playing the suave, debonair Don Juan to any of these younger women. Victor Newman, all over again!
I hope nothing comes out of this ‘hug’ with Chelsea. He is a good 30 years older, isn’t he?

I agree. I’m sick of Jack and his wimping out on everything. So happy to see Phyllis take charge and run over Victor. I really like the new Billy too. I think he might be good with Phyllis. I can’t stand Victoria. Billy deserves better than a woman who constantly takes her daddy’s side over him and everyone else.

I can’t not agree, with you…”I’m sick of Jack and his wimping out on everything ”

what on earth are the writers thinking ??? what a slap in the face of the audience… who have waited …. for decades… for just once… for the Abbott dynasty to prevail and once and for all take Victor OUT of the show

with the lame emasculate of Jack… the head of Abbott… to lose his verve energy and vitality… ??? when tired crusty yikes sorry to look at Victor Newman still lords ?

Yikes… i’m over Genoa City

I’m not so sure about Victoria.. always taking daddy’s side… it seems like Billy does himself in… before Victoria actually has a say in what her position ends up… on the losing side of love.. and still the reigning waiting in the wings for her birthright… as the head of Newman Enterprises

Victoria has so much character to lead with…. talk about a full lived in character who is not in the least bit idle

wouldn’t it be a hoot to see her at least be sticking it to Nikki and Nicholas… and bitch slap and put them in their place

LOL

she’ll get her just rewards and bring her own father down… can only hope

Denise…oh, yes…I think that Jack is turning into a MAJOR WIMP…YUCK!!!!! And, Denise…I (also) can’t stand Victoria!!!!! Oh…and personality-wise and everything, give me Phyllis over Victoria ANY DAY!!!!!!

Take care, Denise.

I think GT is rocking it! I loved everything she had to say about her approach to the character now vs when she first arrived.

As for her and Billy? No chemistry and the story is hella contrived and boring. I rather they not. Let her just dump Jack and scheme. Why do from one lame Abbott to another?

And we know once that affair happens this story will stop being about her anyways. It always happens. Or she will look pathetic panting over Billy Boy.

Pass.

From the get-go, this is just a rehash of one of MAB’s final stories when they were circling back to 1994/1995 when Phyllis hit Paul & Christine with a car and covered her tracks, but somehow ended up in court.

I predict this will be the same….Nothing but recycling lame stories and spending months circling the airport.

BTW – we know how this will play out – VICTOR WILL WIN! (but the viewers will need to go through a lot of plot-driven garbage to get to the end result)

Yep we all know how this will go based on history— Victor will go off somewhere either the South or maybe Mexico to pout because his family had the nerve to question his choices, and while away, his fainting spell which we saw this week will happen again and he passes out, and while passed out someone steals all his ID and car. He wakes up and stumbles into a bar, and some kind simple waitress is being harassed by some local jerk, Vic punches the guy out, and the grateful lady, offers him a place to stay until he can figure out who he is. Meanwhile in GC, his family think Victor is dead because the guy who stole his ID was killed in a car crash. They all feel guilty because they were so nasty to dear Victor before he left town and they just wish they could see him one more time so they could forgive him, because Victor was just being Victor. Adam steps up and begins to run Newman and the power goes to his head. Eventually Victor and waitress fall in love, and he is happy, then he gets a knock on the head and remembers who is his is. His waitress lady stays behind because she won’t fit into his world or else she is dying and doesn’t want to die in a strange place. His family finds out he is alive and welcome him back with open arms and all in forgiven, except Victor will not forgive Adam for running the company in his absence. This essentially been the plot every time Victor was caught doing something he shouldn’t have done and his family held him accountable, saying this time he went too far—so I predict this will happen again.

This is priceless! You are absolutely right! That is exactly what will happen.

Wow , I am enjoying watching Gina, in the role of Phyllis. Gina is a terrific actress. I loved watching her on Guiding Light as Dinah Marler . I am a big, Gina fan. I hope she stays on Y&R for a very long time. Love you Gina.

I have to admit Phyllis and new Billy, i am interested and if they could make them a smart and sexy, challenging, exiting power couple, it could be a HIT, Jack seems too old for this Phyllis and Victoria is just too boring..

Exactly!!!

I like Gina, dont lover her BUT it is good to see her come out from under Jack’s shadow and show some grit again! Billy and Vic belong together. I would hate for those two to be split up! I dont mind Red and Jack breaking up. I like Jack and Chelsea together and Adam and Sharon. They can eventually write Red off the show and Dylan can head over to Port Charles!

I still don’t buy Gina as Phyllis.

Michelle Stafford’s Phyllis was smart, funny, crafty as hell, and nobody’s fool. I could never see her Phyllis being fooled by a doppleganger (because let’s be real — certain things about a man are like snowflakes: no two are alike).

If the writer’s had her fooled, she too would have been fooled.

exactly Judy, blame the writers Alan..

Thank you, Alan. I am glad someone else does not buy into this completely opposite of our spitfire, Phyllis.

This is a great interview, thank you for this Michael! I have loved Gina Tognoni since she played the deliciously bad girl Dinah Marler on Guiding Light!!!! She’s doing the same bad ass acting on Y&R too!

Amazing, isn’t it, blake? We all love Gina…I loved her as as Kelly Cramer. By the same token, there is so much colorful diversity on this site. I love how we can express our opinions with good humor and candidness without being rude to each other.
Just as a point of interest: I find it almost hysterical that while Y&R is projecting into the future; Days is ruminating unto the past….simultaneously!! LOL.

I strongly feel Phyllis must stay with Jack. Billy has to stay with Victoria!!! Victor should go to prison!!!!! Nicki should have a better stronger role after Victor is gone.

Yes. I agree, Rachel. Mostly, I am so pleased by your reference to Nikki. Most fans would have said to Gina Nikki a better man ….but, you said it! Find Nikki a stronger role. YES!!!!! Allow this character with so much of a questionable past, to find more meaning to her life other than being Victor’s wife.
I am not saying she could or should never find love again…in time. But, now? ALLOW her to breathe a second.
I personally think, she should take her rightful place in Y&R as its matriarch. Catherine (Jeannie, rest her soul) would be ecstatic.
Finally free Nikki from the raptor’s claws!

I don’t want a Phyllis/Billy pairing they work well as friends, why destroy all family relationships .

Gina is an excellent actress .

I am so glad that YR is finally dealing with the rapes of Phyllis, and that she is blaming Victor for it. You go girl!

Absolutely. Enough of Victor’s dominance….over everyone!!

I think that the computer geek will at some point let down her hair and come undone like Lucy Coe, the librarian did years ago on GH. Plain Jane’s on soaps always let it loose. She will be around for years to come. I also instantly liked her on the show and I do not always like the newcomers. I think like most soap fans that they tend to take airtime away from the veterans…but I know that it also gets boring if all you see are veterans doing the same thing over and over (Can you say Victor?) At least it is getting interesting…and so is GH… with Jane (Tracy) and the gang….so I am a happy camper with my 2 soaps that I do get a chance to catch at least a couple of times a week.

I agree about Natalie, Justin. She’s sort of a sneak; but something about her; her geekiness reels me in. I like her.

This is Amelia’s chance to let Victoria shine in taking over Newman Enterprises while her father is in jail.

I think Victor needs to pay for what he’s done to everyone, not just Jack and Phyllis. He has alot to answer for.

I IN NO WAY WANT TO SEE A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYLLIS AND BILLY.

Gina is the best actress to come along since Kim Zimmer and even better! She’s the only one who could have replaced Stafford and made the character even more intriguing. I have to say, while I don’t like Pratt’s stories (generally), Jill Phelps has made some awesome casting choices. Jason Thompson, Justin Hartley, Kelly Sullivan, the chick playing Natalie. Jury still out for me on guy playing Luca but the show is so well acted, the best of the four right now. All the way around. Now if the stories improve it will be tops again!

I agree.

I have loved Gina since her original run as Kelly Cramer of One Life to Live. She’s a terrific actress with a powerful range. I hope Phyllis brings old Victor to his knees. Gina will do a fantastic job playing it.

I loved Gina as Kelly, as well. But, she’s not Phyllis. Could it be that Phyllis has had a calmness about her hidden somewhere in her psyche? She is too classy, too subdued even when hurt and upset. Not Phyllis, at all.
Let’s just agree that Phyllis has learned to hone her temper in a positive way…..that’s the only way I can believe this is really Phyllis…LOL.

I really love the trajectory of Gina’s career in daytime. I enjoy her acting, and love that she is now on a soap NOT struggling to stay alive, as she was on Guiding Light and OLTL. One thing I wish, is that soaps would really, seriously, quit having siblings and family members being involved with the same person. I know Jack and Billy have shared one woman, Sharon, but well…who hasn’t? Her name is Sharin’ after all. I love Sharon too, LOL, and don’rt mean that as an insult. But really…what I want to see…is a show that keeps its powercouple ( Jack and Phyllis) together and strong. Jack and Billy have always been close, and I don’t see how their relationship could recover if Billy crossed that line with Phyllis. There are SO many other ways to tell stories, and so many different stories to tell, but soaps just keep going to the same well, and for me, that well has run dry. I see Billy and Victoria as endgame too, but how much is she supposed to put up with? I like the fact that the show is addressing that Victor essentially set Phyllis up to be repeatedly raped. It is a dangling doppelganger point that no show has really addressed when doing one of these asinine, absurd look-alike plots. Two characters that I cannot stand on soaps are Sonny on GH and Victor on this show. I hate arrogance. I hate that soap writers are so bereft of new ideas. It is really alarming that soap writers and producers are THAT far out of touch with their audience that they think Sonny and Victor are audience draws. All they have to do is READ a message board or two! Viewers WANT these people to pay for their crimes, and NOT keep getting away with murder, literally. I hope Gina as Phyllis brings Victor to his knees and that her and Jack emerge strong and victorious, and that Jack gets to share in the triumph!!!!

I like what you wrote. Particularly that the writers “just keep going to the same well.” To me, I can’t find the sense of a center. Sometimes I have to stop and say, let’s see, who is his or her mother or father” to place perspective on the event. I approached Victor a bit differently, but that awful, awful tale should never have been written. They are, however, have been and probably will continue.

I thought Victor thought Phyllis might be behind Adam’s kidnapping. Really, how many women in GC are there to choose from?

I hope they don’t pair Phyllis and Billy up. Let Villy be happy, at least a little.

Yeah, I did not like… in the interview… that, the kidnapper is KNOWN…. ” a woman”

which just bugs the crapola out of me.. as this is a given that Victor, in the end… will figure this out…

so screw it… once again… the Abbotts… will be scripted as the heart on their sleeve… never ending reign that is … the dullest … victor

I agree… with this Billy recast… let Amelia Heinle… RUN with what’s going on… it’s all good… it’s interesting to see her acting the heck out of being Victor daughter… as much as it pains me…. and her new sparring partner… Jason Thompson

I still contend that Phyllis ENJOYED the sex with Marco, so having her going all self-righteous now (even tho that was written to drive the plot) is, imo, a “You’ve got to be kidding moment”. She even commented at one point that she LIKED Jack’s new attitude; making having sex with his wife more important than business. She won’t admit that, even to herself, so that’s why she’s doing this. Also, PHYLLIS should be going to jail for kidnapping Adam, for stealing the passkey project, and (the way they seem to be going) having sex with her BROTHER-IN-LAW.

Gina Tognoni was perfect casting for Phyllis on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. She fits the role perfectly, as if it were tailor made for her. Yes, I enjoyed Michelle Stafford but, Gina has brought something, and I love that. There’s more possibility for story and character growth under Gina’s portrayal. As for a pairing between Phyllis and Billy Abbott, I could be up for it if it is done right. Gina and Jason Thompson have some palpable chemistry, as did Gina and Burgess. But I feel as if Phyllis and Jack (Peter Bergman) will always be meant for each other. But I am loving Phyllis’ storyline and that the fire is coming back to her.

Y & R We know you can not prosecute with out DNA evidents, from Marco was ever in her home with her. Video DVD could be doctored up. San tories have Marco’s money not Victor. My man Victor rises again,. Maybe Victor will adopt some new kids that are loyal.. I’m just saying. ….

Phyllis will always be a snake; everyone wants her to bring down Victor; however, no one is upset that a former set of writers allowed her to go unpunished for hitting Christine and Paul. Plus, I want Victor to get payback , but I also want Victor to remain a strong and imposing character who will not show vulnerability to his enemies. Additionally, I’m the type of person who doesn’t care for family who are disloyal ; that’s one of the worse things children , siblings, spouses, or anyone can do ; show disloyalty.

Guess this is about Gina Tognoni. I am beginning to forget the previous Phyllis. Gina has held this role quite differently and firmly. The storyline with computers and taking down Victor has left me a little cold and confused.

Moving on, much as I hate how Victor is continuously victorious (sorry) there are moments when his acting presence supersedes a dry script. How I wish they would let him age and complicate his character; acknowledge the natural diminishing that time forces and couple it with his lasting and somewhat conflicting need for power. The cry of family is feeling more than somewhat crazed.

Out of order for the day, I would like to comment on Adam. How could one not like new Adam? For me he seemed a great choice but not necessarily a great actor. His cadence has always appeared too rushed. However, there was that moment as he spoke of the perceived death of his child that, to me, he fell into something exceedingly special.

Others have made such fulfilling performances. I just reviewed most of last week and wanted to honor what happens often and passed by. If we write here it must be because watching is enjoyable, fun, and appreciated regardless of the content of some comments. The reviews should be kindly received by those, who in one way or another, work for us.

I agree with your comments because watching is enjoyable and fun. Commenting is part of the fantasy of how we perceive the characters and their acting.

Abosolutely, Tani. This is the reason I get so incensed, sometimes….not on this site, never on this site. But, I simply get the feeling that there are posters who seem to be ‘favorites’; thus, all their comments are posted…good or bad. That’s the way it should be for ALL…..it is only fair.
I draw the line when posters insult other posters, but, the offended are hardly ever given the chance
to defend themselves.
I love the Y&R sites….no one insults anyone. Only the random poster with an iffy name does it, to stir ‘the pot’, as it were.

didn’t she WED Jack and then honeymoon with Marco??

Yes!

Don’t team Phylis up with Billy. I like her and Jack. Poor Jack, always getting the wrong end of the deal. Billy should be with Victoria. Hated the Marco storyline how ridiculous was that.

I was not Gina as Phyllis but I like what is happening. Victor has it coming, ALL of it!!

Phyllis has two children! Bring back MG’s Daniel!

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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