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Y&R’s Gina Tognoni, Jason Thompson & Amelia Heinle Talk On Philly, Villy, And Each Other!
Photo CreditL JPI Studios
Three of The Young and the Restless most talented actors and fan favorites: Gina Tognoni (Phyllis), Jason Thompson (Billy) and Amelia Heinle (Victoria) chat with Michael Fairman in his latest video offering on The Michael Channel.
Shot on the set of the top-rated daytime drama series inside Phyllis’ apartment, Gina, Jason, and Amelia weigh-in on a myriad of subjects including: what are the chances that Billy will ultimately end up with Phyllis, even though he has currently been hacking into her computer for some vital business intel? Is Philly the eventual end game, or could Victoria get her former hubby back, now that she has made it known that she wants him back? Will Villy end up being reunited?
Recently, Victoria has been suffering severe headaches, leading many to speculate that something is seriously wrong with her. Might there be a clue in this video conversation on where that story is headed, and what is wrong with her?
Everyone in the soap genre knows that Gina, Jason,and Amelia are all powerhouse performers, but you will also find out what they think of each other, participating in social media, and some more entertaining nuggets when watching the video.
After the jump, check out The Michael Channel’s sit-down chit-chat with Gina, Jason, and Amelia. Then, let us know if you are Team Philly, Team Villy, or are you rooting for the characters to wind up romantically involved with other people, and if so whom? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Filly Villy , both pairing are snoozers…..
I agree, rocky83… however, I am not as turned off by Villy as I am of Filly.
Something else that turns me off? Cane’s man-boobies. HaHa!!
JFP told her pet toy Thompson that Billy was a spoiled rich smug arrogant playboy and that how he plays him and he needs to take his sneakers and go
Agreed – Jason Thompson is ill-suited for the role of BIlly Abbott – we need Billy Miller back ASAP!!
Great interview! Drunken Phyllis + headache Victoria + fun-boy Billy = a daytime three-way?
You do come up with great ones, Mister Media. Love it….
Did anyone get the feeling that the women couldn’t stand each other? Everything they said, was kind of said through Jason.
I especially love your idea of a soap talk show, and am surprised that no one has come up with the idea before. I know, I would watch, as others would, I am sure.
THIS is a show that should be on the daytime schedule. A thoughtful interview show that takes the genre seriously and treats the actors like the artists they are. Michael is the perfect interviewer for a show of this type. Forget the cooking and lifestyle shows. A great soap talk show like this would really please the loyal daytime audience. It would also be cheap to produce and promote the soaps. Seems like a win-win for the network and the audience.
Yeeesss!!!!
Loved the interview and I am enjoying the story line…I know so many people are complaining about Y&R being boring but IMO it’s not…I enjoy the character driven story lines but I will admit we do need some more suspense and mystery…I would love for Nina Arvesen to return and to shake up Paul’s world and I would love for Jaime Lyn Bauer to return as Lori Brooks…
Exactly, Kevin C….so well said.
It is not so much that the stories are boring. They are flat, walking a straight line with a safety-net waiting at the end of it. As you said: no suspense, no “be still my heart”.
I admit that I loved Villy when it was Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle who were portraying Billy and Victoria however, after that, I just couldn’t connect with them. I feel that the showrunners just keep forcing Victoria and Billy and just won’t make them grow apart as separate characters but even in the past when Victoria and Billy were together, Billy wasn’t 24/7 Victoria as he is written now.
I loved Philly since 2016, because I felt they connected to each other on a level that they haven’t before because Phyllis of course was recovering after finding out that she was sleeping on Marco, instead of the man who she thought was her husband in Jack. And of course that was Victor fault for bringing Marco in Genoa City in the first place.
I feel what Phyllis was missing from her husband (support, love, understanding) she received from Billy. It seems that Jack just couldn’t read Phyllis pain and even wanted to get Victor off the hook, whereas Billy risked it all for Phyllis and was by her side and that’s why I started loving Philly and I feel in 2017… since Sally Sussman has been in charge, she has sort of messed up their relationship and trying to make it ONLY about sex when it was always more than just that. These two people fell in love.
With Victoria, I just feel it’s time for her to move on from Billy and be with someone else. Like I loved her best in recent memory when she was with Travis, she just seemed more happy and free and it was better to watch.
Sadly right now, I am team NONE OF THE PAIRINGS.
I really like Billy and Phyllis. I think they have magnetic chemistry and just plain sizzle. Victoria makes me want to take a long nap. That kiss, from a week or so ago, was just so boring, forced, and awkward-IMO.
I don’t know, dmr. I respect your opinion. There’s no right or wrong how one feels.
But, as for myself, it’s not a matter of Phyllis and Victoria in regard to Billy.
For me, it’s a matter of Jason Thompson’s Billy and Gina Tognoni’s Phyllis.
Michelle’s Phyllis was sort of evil when she first walked on stage. But she turned the proverbial ugly ( mentally, that is—not physically) duckling into a redeemed, consumate, body-made-to- wear-anything, swan.
Michelle Stafford has that natural beauty and savoir-faire which Gina tries to achieve but fails, nonetheless……Just as Jason Thompson will never attain Billy Miller’s ( as Billy Abbott) boyish mischievousness.
We accepted them both because their personaities made the characters’ personalities shine.
Perhaps Gina and Jason would have made the number one couple in another time on another soap, but not as Phyllis and Billy.
We all have our faves—I, personally do not like either Gina or Jason in these roles. Gina is not the typical sexy, femme fatale ( not even on OLTL, albeit I loved her as Kelly), and I never considered Jason as the hunky stud. He was only ok to me as Patrick ( GH).
Besides, I cannot even picture the original Billy and Phyllis together. Maybe that’s what’s turning me off. There’s an indelible picture of the ‘real’ duo in my brain. LOL.
Oh, sorry, dmr….I forgot.
I don’t like how the PTB are turning back the clock on Phyllis. They are turning her back into the conniving, duplicitous, untrustworthy “B”…..the Phyllis of old.
She is playing devil’s advocate. Never a good idea to engage in double-dealing for the sake of a man. Truth always comes out….and it will bite her in the arse.
I’m rooting for Billy to be donated for medical research and for Phyllis and Victoria to find their brains and good taste.
And it’s not Phyllis’ apartment, it’s Summer’s.
Hahahaha !
Thanks for the sweet interview. Philly are my favorite part of the show. Great build-up in 2016, awesome chemistry and there’s still so much potential to explore. Can’t wait for some drama and fighting because of the Jabot vs B&S war. I also liked Victoria with Benjamin. The character was supposed to be this slimy ruthless businessman but the actor put some honesty and naturality in the portrayal. Could be an interesting addition to the show.
I love Billy and Phyllis together. Victoria is so boring and has zero chemistry with Billy, IMO. That kiss was so forced and so awkward. Phyllis is a woman and just sizzles-brings excitement to Billy’s life! Sick of Brash and Sassy and Jabot “war.” It’s boring.
I couldn’t help but notice the three stars each came from a different ABC soap. I still miss Jason Thompson as Patrick. They really should have made him the star of the show and not Sonny.
Downtownla, I totally agree about Jason Thompson, loved his portrayal of Patrick…I think Jason is a fabulous actor and a lot of people don’t like him as Billy but I do and I think he is doing a wonderful job.
I always felt that Jason Thompson, was not used to his full potential on GH, but on Y&R, he’s given something to dig his teeth into, showing his acting chops, while having two strong women fighting over him.I also love Billy Miller, but like him better on GH, with one woman, he is so loyal and protective of. What drives me nuts is, if he isn’t the original Jason, than where did these feelings for Sam come from?
Y&R REALLY NEEDS TO MOVE ALONG THESE DRAGGED OUT STORYLINES….YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU REALLY DONT CARE WHO BILLY IS WITH! ALL GOOD ACTORS…NEED GOOD STORYLINES… AND ENOUGH OF MOANING JACK!!!!!!!
Jack!!!!! I have never liked Jack, the infant, JK. He needs a binky. Even during his ‘redeemed’ phase, I detested him. Always disgruntled and trying to find a way to rock one of his “victim’s” boat.
He ruined Patty, and got away with it. I wish a healed, mentally stable Patty would return, and stick it to him.
In some instances he’s worse than Victor—both need a massive dose of “grow up” vitamins.
The problem isn’t Gina Tognoni, the problem isn’t Amelia Heinle, the problem is Jason Thompson. He’s just not Billy, not in any way. He always comes off as sneering and petulant and certainly has never shown any remorse for stabbing his brother in the back. Whichever woman is unlucky enough to land him will be stuck with an eternally self-indulgent manchild for a mate.
Let the worst woman win.
It’s all about karma, boes. Jack has stabbed his own father in the back when he slept with Jill, his step-mother.
It’s sick and disgusting to me how these shows have no regard for morality; yet, we see so much ‘holier-than-thou’ going on…it ‘kinda’ blows the mind. Eg: Bobbie and Carly (GH).
It does not excuse Billy, of course…..and, it definitely IS about Gina’s Phyllis. She is no Michelle Stafford, who owned the role.
I doubt if there would have been a romantic liaison if BM and MS had still been on the show. I guess we all have our faves, and although through no fault of theirs, some of us resent th ‘newcomers’ as usurpers. Unreasonable, I know, LOL.
JT is all wrong as Billy, I have said this since day one—-but, Phyllis’ transformation depicted by Gina is worse. I have been lamenting the ‘obscenity’ of her winning the Emmy, when so many others deserved it so much more, in my humble opinion.
You want to tell me why Billy would destroy his fathers conpany these three are the reason I tape and delete! Ugh
Right, Kay. Makes no sense.
Loved Johnny’s first day of school. So blond and cute, could be Billy Miller’s son for real. He does not resemble Jason Thompson in any way, since he plays his bio dad.
Agreed, Violet ( love your name). Thompson has come a long way as Billy, but, I still miss BM.
It is what it is. Sigh….
Something else that bothers me is that Chelsea, Johnny’s bio mom, has completely forgotten she has another son. So weird. How could she live in the same town, frequent the same places, see the same people, and go on with her life? She gave birth to him. How does she love one child and dismisses the other???
Y&R should revisit this wrong and make it right. I would have fought Billy and Victoria tooth and nail to, at least, get visitation rights, come hell or high water.
Also, shouldn’t Connor and Johnny know they are brothers? TPTB should think ahead….these boys will be sorased sooner or later. What then? How to explain the silence?
Celia thanks for your reply. I have thought as you do, many times about Chelsea’s feelings toward Johnny, or lack thereof. There was a night time show a few years ago, One Tree Hill, where two brothers, each not knowing about the other, as rivals, found out they were brothers( same father) and became best friends. I would like to see something like this happen here. Johnny has Katie, and Johnny MAY have Christian, although I am not as convinced as everyone else seems to be that he was fathered by Adam. I do want him to be Nicks.
We seem to be of one mind in this, too, Violet.
I always believed Christian was Nick’s….said more often than not……albeit, we never really know what TPTB will do when they come to the crossroad.
The body language speaks volumes.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
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WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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