Interviews
Y&R’s Gina Tognoni Opens Up About Billy’s Bombshell With Summer & What’s Next For Phyllis
Talk about walking in at the wrong moment and getting an earful! That’s exactly what happened to The Young and the Restless’ Phyllis on Wednesday’s episode. Taking the moment to level his revenge and payback for Phyllis’ romp with Nick (Joshua Morrow), her beau Billy (Jason Thompson) tells Phyllis that he slept with her daughter, Summer (Hunter King), right as Summer is standing there! With that moment now out in the open, and Billy’s intention behind it, look for fireworks to fly!
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Daytime Emmy-winning gem, Gina Tognoni, who brings the complex Phyllis to life on the CBS daytime drama series, to get her take on how Phyllis handles this shocker, and the ramifications it poses to her, and the key relationships in her life.
As to what happens in the near future, looks like Phyllis is not going to do too well with what has just come to light, and that may set her on a whole new trajectory! But will it be to Jack (Peter Bergman), to Nick (Joshua Morrow), or to someone else? And, oh, there is that little item of her part in the death of J.T. Hellstrom. Will that ultimately prove to be her downfall? Here’s what Gina dished on the latest developments from GC.
When Phyllis gets the bombshell dropped upon her that Billy had sex with Summer, in that immediate moment what does this mean for Phyllis’ relationship with her daughter?
GINA: Phyllis never saw this coming. She is gutted and disgusted with her daughter in the moment, and in disbelief that her daughter would turn on her like this.
What about Billy saying to Phyllis and Summer that he had revenge sex with Summer to get back at Phyllis for sleeping with Nick? Is she disgusted with him?
GINA: I mean, she is speechless with him. She’s speechless that he would stoop so low. In her mind, this is a different offense. Her sleeping with Nick is something that can’t be put in the same ballpark as Billy sleeping with her daughter.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Do you think Phyllis knew in her gut that Billy would sleep with Summer; after the truth about her tryst with Nick came out at Sharon and Nick’s wedding?
GINA: I think she was consumed with her own guilt and her own loss of control that it was not in the forefront of her mind. So, when he plops that on her, that’s what leaves her to be absolutely speechless. Whether you call it karma, or whatever, she got knocked with some of that, and she doesn’t know what else to say. She’s devastated by both of these people. In Phyllis’ mind she had moved on and was trying to make things right, but Billy sleeping with her daughter just crosses a boundary.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
I actually thought Phyllis knew in her gut that Billy would go to Summer, after the Shick wedding busted wide open, as she drank out those tiny liquor bottles!
GINA: She was drinking the bottles, and it was all out, and her life was beginning to unravel, which caused her to want to numb the pain, because it was getting so intense. It came out at the wedding that she slept with Nick, but what she was upset about was how Billy and she had now imploded, and their relationship has been forever changed. That’s what that drinking was about. They had overcome so much. Here they were trusting each other, she was supporting him, brought him out of his gambling addiction, and she ‘drowns’ herself, and then we come to today. She walks in, and he just unloads it, and says, “I slept with Summer.” From that moment on, we start to see that she has a break, and the break is in her personality. Not that she’s a multiple personality, but it’s literally so painful for her that it changes something within her, and we’ll see something within the next two to three weeks on-air of what that means. Phyllis gets really drastic, which has been fun to play.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Does she think at all, that this is her fault, because she did sleep with Nick?
GINA: Oh, yes. She’s so confused and so overwhelmed by how screwed up it’s gotten that she is in survival mode. We’ve seen Phyllis go in and out of that during the almost five years that I have played her. This is good stuff to play, and the writing is much more detailed than I have ever seen it. When you see the scenes that are airing the rest of this week, they were done in one take. Jason Thompson’s performance is so good, and Hunter King is really wrapping her arms around this role in such a cool way, that I just think the viewers are going to feel something. Phyllis is just wrecked.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
One of the great scenes that you’ve had this year was when Phyllis realized that Summer is going after her man and she confronts her. Phyllis slapped her own daughter and then went on the offense to keep her daughter from meeting up with Billy. Summer did try to seduce Billy, and his gambling addiction wouldn’t have resurfaced at this time in his life, if it weren’t for her.
GINA: Yes. Summer did push it. I think in life, people disappoint us in such a profound way. People are human. We will be disappointed. You pray to God that it’s not to certain levels, but it happens. At the end of the day this is still her daughter, and it’s that bond that you have forever, and you love them, and you have to find a way to forgive because it’s natural: that love in your heart for your child. That’s all I can say about this story, because it’s bizarre. (Laughs) It sounds so funny, “My daughter slept with my boyfriend.” (Laughs) You know what I mean? However, when you really think about it, Summer broke her mother’s heart.
Even though Summer was a big contributor to the combustion of Billy and Phyllis’ relationship, Phyllis wants what’s best for her?
GINA: That’s the way Mal Young (EP and head writer, Y&R) is writing it. I think that’s the most human way to do it. It doesn’t mean that you can’t be angry, or that you have to be trusting in a situation like this.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
What does this mean for any future for the duo known as “Philly”?
GINA: I was just saying to Jason Thompson: “I don’t feel like we’ve really worked together or hung out, because we’ve broken up on this show, so I never see you,” and he said, “I know! It’s so bizarre,” and it really is, because you get into such a rhythm with somebody. You develop this shorthand where you understand each other’s rhythms. Now, I’m getting to work with different groups of people. Phyllis and Billy have such a very good dynamic. It works. So, to mess with something that’s not broken, (I mean, obviously it’s broken in Genoa City) it’s a bummer. The good news is, maybe we’ll find our way back to one another. She loved Billy very much. That’s very much her soulmate.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Where does Phyllis see Jack in all of this? At times, in scenes, it looks like maybe she could rekindle her relationship with Jack.
GINA: Here’s the thing … Jack represented wisdom to her. Jack is the type of man that no woman should ever walk away from. Phyllis screwed that up. She also screwed up her relationship with Billy, but I actually think that Billy had a lot to do with that too. They both have demons. Billy and Jack are two great men that she has failed at. How does she live with that much failure? How does she see herself? What does she do? She can’t make Billy come back, and she can’t be forced to love him. They’re both so hurt by all of this.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Joshua Morrow was on my podcast Soap Nation Live recently, and we were talking about the hotness that is Phyllis, and how there’s this constant sexual tension between Nick and Phyllis, and how they play videogames as their foreplay, before they have sex. (Laughs) Where is that relationship at now?
GINA: Yes, there is that foreplay with the video games. (Laughs) Gina and Joshua have never really explored the dynamic of Phyllis and Nick. It was Michelle Stafford (Ex-Phyllis, Y&R, now Nina, GH) and Joshua who played that. Now we are getting a chance to get Gina and Joshua’s take on it. Joshua is very present when you work with hum, and that’s a very powerful thing. So, we’ll see what happens with those two, but right now it seems to be a very physical thing between them.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Then, there are the ramifications of Phyllis’ part in J.T.’s death and the four women in collusion to hide what happened to him. What is it like for Phyllis having to work with Sharon on this, when Phyllis was the cause of Sharon’s wedding to Nick to blow up?
GINA: Well, she’s compartmentalizing. She’s got the J.T. thing that she wants to control as much as she can, and she’s got to also be successful in her business career. She’s proving something to herself, and she’s proving something as a woman. Phyllis wants to be taken seriously, but she’s got this conflict that’s telling her that she’s a fraud. She’s got this murder cover-up that she’s involved with. Again, like in life, you try to go forward, but everyone has demons and things inside them that take them off their game.
Is there any part of her that thinks she could wind up in prison for this crime?
GINA: Yeah! Her whole life could just blow up to a whole other level! That’s how I see it!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
I know throughout your soap opera career; the writers and producers have loaded you up with heavy material, because you are an accomplished actress who can always deliver. But, how do you feel now getting all of this material and trying to work through it?
GINA: I’m getting to a place just now where I’m going, “Okay. We’ve got this.” For the last month and a half to two months, it’s been a lot. Now, I’m starting to find my center and balance. At first, it was a lot to digest. I even felt emotional not working with Jason, and not working with Peter Bergman. There is that attachment, were you go as an actor: “That was ours. We built that, man!” Then it moves on and it takes its shape, and you have to remind yourself that’s your job: that you are the chameleon. You have to come in and sell it, and commit emotionally, because that’s your job. There are certain days that I feel too much, and I have to remember to just breathe. Day by day is how I take it, but I feel good.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
If you could preview to the audience what they should watch for with Phyllis, what would you tell them?
GINA: Watch the subtle differences within Phyllis. There is even a different look in my eyes. I’m bringing her to a place, and she’s bringing me to a place that I have never
So, what do you think Phyllis should do now in her relationships with Summer and Billy? Are you glad the truth is out that Billy had sex with Summer? Who should be the new man in Phyllis’ life? What changes do you think will happen to her personality as previewed by Gina in this interview? Comment below.
I love Gina and Jason as Phyllis and Billy. I dislike Summer VERY much. Her storyline (and angst) just doesn’t make sense to me. But, Gina and Jason make-up for the holes in the storyline, and the lackluster character/acting on the other end. They are just soapy-goodness! I don’t see ANY chemistry between Gina and Joshua.
Gina is simply the Best. I truly hope Phyllis/Billy can eventually work through all of this because Gina/Jason are perfect together. They’ve both hurt each other terribly but time & love can heal them. I do not want to see Phyllis bending over backwards anytime soon for Summer. That girl is so entitled & petulant. She needs all her financial support stopped. She needs to be humbled.
Denise…I DO NOT LIKE Summer…PERIOD!!!!! Never have, never will. So whenever that WHINY BRAT pops up on my TV screen, I usually do 1 of 3 things: I either yell at my TV screen, press the MUTE button on my remote control or I hit the FAST-FORWARD button. Works for me…lol.
Have a good one, Denise.
As far as I’m concerned, ThisBilly, thisPhyllis, Nick, and definitely Summer got their just desserts.
However, the reason for my post is sort of relevant/or not…..depends how invested one is in following the ‘norms’ of good grammar.
For years I’ve had to endure the bad grammar on all the remaining soaps. I have tried not to say anything because I do not want to look like a Miss-know-it-all…..nonetheless, the teacher in me is stronger than I am. Cannot seem to stop the devil in my head.
I will give an example. Today, Mariah said, “…..for Tessa and I” . WRONG!!!!!!
This is one of the most common grammar mistakes ( completely independent of spelling mistakes and typos) people make.
‘For’ is a preposition, which is ALWAYS followed by an object. In this case, ME is the object. “I” is in the subjective case—-in other words, “I” is ALWAYS the subject. It never ever follows a preposition. Learn your prepositions, writers!!
The writers also need to brush up on their pronouns in other parts of speech—parsing of sentences ( singular or plural). The wayward direction of the English language will undoubtedly lead us to speaking in sign. LOL.
We need to get rid of COMMON CORE. It is ruining Academia. This is one of the promises Trump made. I commend him in many promises he has kept. But, education shoukd not be put on the back burner, albeit I’m pretty confident ( too much is going on, I get it) he will get to it…..condidering he has a young son.
I apologize for the rant, but not for my good intention.
I hope this obsevation gets posted.
❤️
You misspelled “shoukd”, teacher…
I hope you get the sarcasm–I purposely mistyped ” student”. Spelling is not following any grammar rule…..one either knows how to spell or not. And, everyone makes typos.
Do you feel vindicated, Donna? Ha!!
Celia. I am in total agreement!
Thank you, my friend!!❤️
Celia, Celia, this is way off topic but I can’t help it…I had to contact you. Just watched Friday’s episode of GH and am just now recovering from an hour-long giggle-fest. Sam Spadeless and Spinelli doing another “super sleuth” assignment! When she wears those “power suits” and tries to act sophisticated, I just start howling! Walking/stalking around Margaux’s mom’s house like she’s doing a dust inspection!? And WHO exactly is babysitting this time? These Sam Spy tales give me such a tickle…though probably not in the way the writers intend. Anyway, THANKS for indulging me.
Hello, Soaphound,
Oh, I get it!! I was subbing for a few days last week…..so, I caught up late last night. And, I am more than happy and willing to indulge.
I was giggling just as hard….albeit, it is such a somber time…( RIP).
Who lets anybody into her house? Did they give Margaux’s mother a curtesy call before invading her ‘space’ ? Bad acting all around!! Child’s play….
I did laugh, but when the giggles stopped, I realized how stereotypical this show is. Why the matronly spinster hair style? Do all female agents, executives etc. dress so conservatively? So wacky? I guess the same goes for teachers? A bun and thick, miopic glasses; wearing homely clothes? That blouse!! I didn’t get a look at her footware…..was she wearing her usual stilettos?……would sort of negate the rest of her garb.
Aside from that, and I will take every tomato and shoe thrown at me, Monaco is such an inproficient actress. Protocol for acting is getting more and more eschewed.
How long does it take to drink a glass of water? I thought they were doing …….well, you know… takes less than that for a qu!ck!€ ( I know, I’m so naughty–I apologize to any sensitively delicate minds, LOL). Sooo well-timed, that….returned from the kitchen at the nick of time. Usually, in such situation, suspense builds. I would usually call out-loud , ” Hurry up!”. Nothing!!
I’d love to see Sam impersonating a nun, Soaphound. Perhaps, she did in the past?
Spinelli? What can I say? I don’t know why, but when I see him, I always have the urge to get jittery….he stresses me out….he seems neurotic.
Babysitting? Danny takes care of Scout, don’t you know?!?!?! LOL.
Oh Celia, you reminded me of my 1980s guilty pleasure “DYNASTY”, which I’ve been rewatching via DVD. What campy fun…especially the arc when Joan Collins’ vitriolic, trampy Alexis disguised herself as “Sister Marie” in efforts to free an ex-lover from a terrorist prison! Natch, this Sister Marie had full eyelashes, kohl eyeliner, and passion pink lipstick. Not even Sam Spadeless could carry that off! I don’t dislike Kelly, especially since our Billy speaks so highly of her, but she often seems to lack the emotional resources of most major actresses, like Maura West, Michelle Stafford, and Jane Elliott (how I miss Tracy Quartermaine!) As far as Spinelli, I used to like him until he turned on Drew. Now all I can say is that he has really nice hair. Danny babysitting Scout, LOL! But on the plus side, he couldn’t do any worse!
“Sam Spadeless???” Very cute, indeed! However, I do have to inquire whatever happened to the previous dictate that forbade us from creating clever nicknames for soap characters…Has the ban (finally) been lifted or does it only remain in effect for certain posters???? Just wondering….
Cheap shot, DonnaRaye. A simple keystroke error doesn’t lessen the import of what she’s saying.
Thank you, my love!!
Back to Y&R…… I have the sneaking suspicion that the blackmailer is ….yup…you guessed it (LOL).. ta-da: JT.
Am I ever wrong?! HaHa and LOL.
What say you, Soaphound?❤️
Celia, I guess you’re right about J.T. It’s the only plausible explanation. Unless Rey was taking a midnight stroll that night and…..oh heck, it’d better not be ANOTHER new character!
I can’t stand Rey! The character is inserted into every scene/storyline. Lola is another unnecessary character. Their characters/scenes come off as awkward.
Agreed, my friend. Rey is an unsympathetic puzzle. I’d say ‘enigma’, but he doesn’t exude any sort of ‘enticing’ mystery to even be given that ‘honor’….I didn’t like him as Dario (Days), and I don’t like him as Rey. Arturo, I like even less. ….not sure about baby-sister, yet.LOL.
This new development, with Ashley as owning every Abbott patent ( if I understood correctly), is ‘sorta’, “kinda” scrambling for an inspiring storyline….don’t like that either…
On a more positive note: the women’s fashion/ wardrobe is fantistique!!
Celia, Rey is so unappealing he reminds me of something Sophia on “THE GOLDEN GIRLS” once said: “There’s something about him I don’t like. I can’t put my finger on it, but if I did I’d have to wash it.”
Ha! I disagree about Rey’s appeal (or, in your opinion, lack thereof) but that’s a great line. “The Golden Girls” really had great writers and no one could deliver a zinger like those four women. Thanks for today’s chuckle!
OMG, “I love The Golden Girls!” Great quote! & agreed, I can’t stand the character or his family!
Hi, again, Soaphound,
Yes, it looks like JT is playing mind games with the women.
I have a second possibility.
How about Rey? Perhaps, he has gotten a hint—-suspects something, somehow?
Is he pushing the envelope so far as to see if all of the women, or one of them will crack?
Blackmailing them is a ploy? He is just laying in wait—hungry like the wolf?
If my theory is conceivable, I think there will be one small, big problem…..Rey is falling for Sharon. He will find himself between a rock and a hard place.
I recently got the vibe that Rey is honorable ( I could be wrong and should stick to my first-impression theory-LOL). What to do? Love vs righteousness, or vice versa? What a quandary!!
❤️
Sorry, CeeCee; Trump couldn’t speak proper English if his life depended on it. Not only does he speak nonsense; he’s barely legible when he TWEETS his nonsense. Although I do so appreciate the enormous material he supplies the late night shows. Has me rolling!
Actually, Rebecca, I beg to differ. His grammar, compared to Obama’s is impeccable. I notice these things.
I really do not want to get into politics….nor bashing the President. I’ve heard enough to last me a lifetime…..you have the right to say as you wish! Not here, I beg you.
I mentioned him because of Common Core….which has to do with education….not politics.❤️
You are kidding right? You need to listen to some of Obamas speeches again. You can’t possible compare his articulate responses to the crazy rambling of Trump.
Cathy & All…And not just Barack. Michelle as well, and she doesn’t have to plagiarize. Trump may fire up his supporters with negatives and bullying. But he doesn’t even come close to the Obamas, and how they speak and inspire audiences in a positive way. You know…Aim High. Michelle did it when she was First lady. And again on NBC Today show last week on International Day of the Girl which was mainly devoted to her launching an international girls alliance, especially devoted to education. It was an incredible show which included around 1000 girls from over the world who have overcome what their countries did not offer them and other girls.
I can only think some teachers here must for some unfathomable reason I will never understand give Trump a pass (especially about women), and make him a teacher’s pet. Even though they can at times give a fail to characters and actors on the soaps for bad behaviors, in their opinion.
“… the Obamas, and how they speak and inspire audiences in a positive way. You know…Aim High.”
Hi Rose… simply want to state how whew at ease this all sounds… finding common ground… “make it like it was” I don’t know.. I just know.. i’m keeping the faith … rallying till Nov 6th… when at the very least my hope is that the democrat take control of the house… CLEAN UP
stop the bleeding.. the complete obliteration and desecration of our judicial system… all I want.. WAKE UP CALL PEOPLE.. together we’ve all walked the walk… same step
Rose, THANKS for saying this, particularly about Michelle Obama. I admire her and can’t wait to read her upcoming memoir. Her dignity, values, and intelligence sure beats the current crop.
I know, rebecca1. And why does he repeat everything twice or more? And who knew so many cruel, torturing despots were really “terrific guys”? We learn something new every day, don’t We?
Im telling you, Soaphound, late night is our friend. Not sure if you watch Kimmel, Colbert, or Meyers but their recaps of what he says and does is beyond hilarious while managing to show the irony, the sheer lunacy. They’re getting me through this. It’s a camaraderie of humor in a twisted, surreal, dark time.
Hello Rebecca! I hope all is well!
Great humor, indeed! We need to have a few laughs with all that is going on. I looked you up here in attempts to reply to you again. I left a reply to you in the Genie Francis interview thread. Even though my comment is partially given in the “Recent Comments” area, the actual comment does not appear in the thread. I have no idea what happened… Suffice it to say that I attempted to give you accolades and agreement for your political commentary. Even if my particular reply there has been “lost,” hopefully this one will appear and allow me to say this: Keep up the good fight, Friend! 🙂
Weird. I was able to “edit” on my tablet but didn’t see the edit option from my desktop.
rebecca1…FYI in case you hadn’t heard. New show with potential called “Legacies. Girl is a cross between vampire and werewolf. show has ties to Vampire Diaries, the Originals and a Salvatore School. :))
Hey, rose. Yes. It’s the story of Hope Mikaelson, the daughter of Klaus and Haley (Originals vampire and hybrid mom, the werewolf). I was soooo upset when The Originals was cancelled. Absolutely loved it. So, I gave Legacies a shot and so fair I’m not impressed. Maybe for the younger set as in teens. I will, however, give it another shot or two to see if it improves and if there are enough adults to hold my interest.
The Vampire Diaries, though also about a younger set somehow seemed more mature both in characters and stories. Also, the cast started heading up toward mid 20s/30s in addition to those in their 40s, 50s. And The Originals barely had any teens; more of an adult supernatural society again with mid 20s on up.
So, we shall see. Thanks for the heads up! Been watching Poldark; it’s so good. Eagerly awaiting Outlander.
Rebecca1…I liked Vampire Diaries, but never took the time to get into The Originals, even though I “liked” Klaus when on VD. I have been trying out the new Charmed. Hard to compete with the original where even Finola was mom. We shall see. What I am liking are reruns of The Closer and the followup Major Crimes. Great ensemble cast and stories. Even the occasional soap actor like James Patrick Stuart. And like you, eagerly awaiting Outlander.
I recommend these if you’re not watching: Ray Donovan, The Flash, The Gifted, Westworld, The Walking Dead, Ballers, Billions, Counterpart, Chesapeake Shores, 911, Animal Kingdom (NOT about animals; crime show.) That’s a helluava lot of TV! LOL; thank you OnDemand! Binging is my friend. 😉
If you’re not watching any or all of these read the synopses. Some may be too violent for you; not sure. But they’re all excellent shows.
Celia, Celia, our language is dying more deaths than Helena Cassadine. I agree about “I and me” and would like to include people saying “ecscape” and switching affect & effect. I also love watching the ‘crawl’ on news shows…Do they even employ a proofer? Misplaced apostrophes on its and it’s, ambassador spelled with one S, and countless others. To some it’s nitpicking. To me, it’s a sign of laziness, lack of interest, and the general apathy of people during the last three decades. That’s why I continually go back to Charles Dickens, Joan Didion, John Updike, Charlotte Bronte, F. Scott Fitzgerald and others who know how to make our language beautiful and meaningful. Poor grammar and sloppy writing are not just rare anomalies. They are sad facts.
I love F. Scott Fitzgerald. My pet peeves regarding our language/poor grammar include:
its/it’s, there/their/they’re, your/you’re, etc. My personal opinion, I think it’s a lack of reading/wanting to learn. I love to read, and try to make time for it. The explosion of social media is not helping, it dumbs people down, IMO.
Oh, man, AVP….Your comment is music to my ears. I’ve, actually, replied to Shay about the same pronouns and adverbs as you just have.
My other pet peeve is using a singular subject followed by a plural verb and/or pronoun.
As far as reading; I consistently find grammar mistakes in books, as well. What to do? I don’t know.
Perhaps we should hit the streets and calmly protest the evils of bad grammar in a civilized way? It’s a worthier cause than the violence out there.
Later, my friend.❤️
But, of course your reply to me never posted, as is the case for mine directed to you. Never mind they discussed actual, valid pet peeves in terms of poor grammar and English usage. Yet, others get to have their say…petty, petty!!!
I am a grammar fiend, my dear Soaphound. Nonetheless, people confuse grammar with spelling and typos ( which when typing –LOL–amounts to the same thing). …..I am an optimum speller when not on an electrical devise.
And, I am always in a hurry, especially when my 4-year old is not in pre-school.
I’m with you on all points. Soap characters are the worst….many use correct grammar. ….such as, ” Neither you nor I is going out”. Most people insist on using a plural verb ( are). “Neither” is a singulr subject….What about, “your”, “you’re”, “there”, “their”, or “they’re”?. It’s not laziness….it’s not knowing the difference or carelessness.
My son said “brung” yesterday….This tells me that children’s grammar ( in homes) is not corrected. Well, I set him straight.
You named some of my favorite classical authors! You gave me goosebumps. LOL.
Maura Wells has perfect diction and is grammatically “poised” LOL. I have yet to catch her in a grammar mistake. Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott and Peter Bergman are Ok, as well.
I guess I’m making too much out of this, but schools, in general, hardly stress grammar….or spend enough time on the subject. It stops in middle school.
I have family in Toronto, where grammar in not co-ordinated within English class….it is a separate subject from English Literature. Most importantly, it continues throughout High School in most disctricts. We should adopt such programs.
Great chat—great minds and all that jazz. Ciao. ❤️
Amen to the electronic device notion! Both autocorrect and spellchecks can be absolute menaces! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve typed a more obscure word and either the computer doesn’t recognize it and automatically changes it to something I didn’t intend or it insists there is an error in spelling, only for me to double check and find that I was right all along! As much as I enjoy the many pleasures of cyber life, I have to admit that it’s hastening the demise of literacy and proper usage of the English language….especially amongst those who never had the benefit of enjoying an education during more luddite times.
“Brung” is another pet-peeve of mine!
Be careful there, AVP….good grammar is out of style. Don’t rock the boat, or the fangs and claws come out!! LOL.
❤️
Well put, as usual, CeeCeeGirl!!! Could not agree more with you over “Common Core.” It’s an absolute disgrace, especially when you consider the outrageous amount of taxpayer dollars which have been squandered in order not to “educate,” but “indoctrinate,” the youth of America. Same for “Academia” at its highest levels….I am so grateful I obtained my college degrees when they actually meant that one had mastered their chosen subjects, rather than simply been inculcated with politically-correct, SJW nonsense that leaves today’s students totally unprepared for the real world, not to mention, reality, in general! And you are also correct about the dearth of proper English usage in modern society….that’s one of the reasons I refuse to even watch domestic programming anymore…the scripts are so poorly written that they are simply atrocious! Give me a proper British series any day…listening to their intelligent dialogue and beautifully-spoken word is absolute music to my ears! As for Twitter…considering the utter profusion of profanity and often general lack of intelligent thought displayed there, I would hardly conclude that our president is one of the worst offenders found on that platform. The fact is, he successfully uses that cyber cesspool to go over the heads of the MSM in order to deliver his message and that is quite frankly, brilliant! I love the way he hammers his critics again and again…of course, he’s no Shakespeare, yet he is indisputably “effective!” (That one is for you, Soaphound….) But if you want truly witty tweets and rapier sharp retorts phrased with the most carefully-composed grammar and punctuation, I must suggest one particularly talented actor’s page, although I shan’t names names. However, let me just add that he is Mensa-level smart, attended M.I.T….and it shows! Bet you can already guess to whom I am referring, mia amica!….Later!
I’m all for good grammar, even though mine’s probably not perfect. But even good grammar can’t make up for what is being said, especially out of the country’s highest office. And not just for young sons, who may have the advantage of going to the better schools, but daughters too. You know, examples of how you refer to, treat, or address others for instance. And that’s just for starters.
Thank you, Rose. Well said!
Thank you for saying this, Celia. I am also a teacher, and am horrified at the awful grammar on soaps and in the general population. I agree, too, with your comments about POTUS.
Hey Miss English teacher you misspelled considering you typed condidering
.. preach to your self… oh by the way you also misspelled Should you typed shoulkd…lol…
PS. I am a Physics teacher with a PhD… that’s Doctor to you. LOL….but I sub English class on Fridays. This term is all about Willy!!
I don’t understand your angst and sarcasm. Is everything ok?
❤️
Great great interview! Love Gina! She’s always so smart and insightful.
Well, it’s hard to have much sympathy for serial cheaters, particularly Phyllis or Nick. But it makes for dependable drama and a great chance for actors to really let loose. I imagine Gina will not disappoint. As for the duplicitous Summer and childish Billy — flush ’em. I have no use for either, especially the JT version of Billy, all snark, overconfidence, and not a hint of warmth for ANYONE. Phyllis needs to go into therapy and find out why she continually self-sabotages and to stay “manless” for a while. As for Billy, who cares? Kyle is much more interesting.
Hello, my friend,
Phyllis does need help….I would never have the audacity to delve into anyone’s brain….not a psychiatrist. But, Soaphound, perhaps, Phyllis is insecure? Perhaps, she has never felt loved? Is crawling into bed after a fight, or a presumed break-up a self-gratifying ( not in a sexual way), indulgence…..is it to maintain her self-esteem?
I appreciate Gina; loved her as Kelly (OLTL)–great actress. Yet, there’s always that little impish ‘but’….she’s not Michelle Stafford.
JT? No, No, No. No charisma. I didn’t take to his role as Patrick ( GH) either. No Billy Miller, he.
❤️
“… Daytime Emmy-winning gem…” SO TRUE!
Thanks for the great interview, Mr. Fairman. Ms. Tognoni is a force, a genuine talent I have enjoyed on all her soap stops. Thanks goodness the genre hangs on to give her a strong series and role as she continues her career. Phyllis is a complex character and was so identified with its originator. But Ms. Tognoni has made Phyllis her own, to the point I forget there was a previous actor in the part. Lover and hate her, Phyllis is an awesome creation. Keep going, Ms Tognoni! (You too, Mr. Fairman! I rely on this site for my sudsy news and features.)
I agree. Thank you.
Philly are the reason I watch this show.
Gina and Jason are too great together to be wasted on other people.
I love Gina, she’s an amazing actress and brings a lot of her talent to the character. I don’t think Phyllis should be linked up with another guy though, she need to work on her other demons and work on her. I also don’t think she should be so quick to forgive Summer ” person I still don’t care for”, Summer came back with a motive to break Billy and Phyllis up and then slept with him just to get back at her mother. Summer need a reality check and a lot of growing to do. she need to work hard to gain trust and stop being a spoil entitled brat.
I love this character! However, I don’t see her as such a failure at all. In fact, she and Lauren and Jill are the strongest women on this show. They are career women. They can take care of themselves but they, all three, are very hard on themselves. Phyllis has been stronger than every man she has ever been with, except Damian, many years ago. He really loved Phyllis and taught her how to see the best in herself. I see this story with Summer, in the same way the writers do, except, I believe that Summer has a deeper problem and going after Billy is just a symptom of that problem. I believe that Phyllis and Billy were good, at the time, but they have moved apart, in every way. I knew that when Phyllis slept with Nick and Nick slept with Phyllis. Nick doesn’t love Sharon either. She is his old shoe. Nick and Phyllis should reunite and become a family again. They have a fire! A chemistry together and they need to bring back Lauren and Michael as their friends as well. Right now, Phyllis is in a place that is overwhelming. Nick can help her. They both need the distraction of what is wrong with Summer. That is what should bring them back together. Phyllis can help Nick in his company and she would embrace the new house and a new start. Phyllis and Nick both still love each other and they should be able to explore that again. They both need a breath of fresh air. Watching Nick chase the loser, Sharon, is really stupid. He needs to move on. I don’t want to see Phyllis let this unravel her. She might become more cautious and a little more emotionally removed but I believe that Nick could be there for her, because he knows her and he knows how shattered she is. THE THING THAT ALWAYS GETS ME ABOUT HOW THEY WRITE FOR PHYLLIS IS HOW THEY ALWAYS SCREW HER OVER. She has been there for her men, good and bad but when it comes to her and something happens, where she needs a strong support, they always bail on her. Nick always called her his “warrior princess’ because she fights for her family, her kids. She loves deeply and that is why she is so shattered. I would like to see Phyllis take Nick into he confidence and tell him about Nikki and the JT incident and I would like to see them both work to get to the bottom of who is blackmailing them. It has been a long time since we have had a good story like this could be. I am looking for something new and different out of Y&R and this would be a good start toward that.
I have been disgusted with Summer ever since her return, never understanding her beef with her mother. Didn’t even understand her answer when Phyllis asked her point blank, what exactly did she ever do to her, to be acting like she hates her, and ultimately going after her boyfriend. She’s always been her parent’s “Supergirl”, and they did not deserve this treatment. I have not one ounce of pity or compassion for this girl, now or the events to follow.
We have seen a mother going after the daughter’s boyfriend,as on GH and DOOL, but my memory not being as good as it was, can not remember this situation. One of the worst has got to be on B&B with Bill taking advantage of his daughter-in-law, having sex with her and pursuing her openly. Boggles the mind, how far these writers go, to get and hold on to viewers, not realizing that in some cases, it sickens and chases them away.
I watch Y&R BECAUSE of Billy (Jason Thompson) and Phyllis (Gina Tognoni). They are why I tune in every day/week/month… To mess with their chemistry would be hammering a nail in the proverbial coffin of Y&R.
Love Phyllis and Billy together. I agree Phyllis and Nick have no chemistry together.
I think Billy and Phyllis need to kiss and make up.
I also do not like Billy and Victoria together, please don’t put them back together.
Summer needs to grow up. Spoiled brat, however Hunter King does a awesome job in her role.
Extremely Hard for this Philly Fan to watch the decimation of My beloved couple I don’t even watch YR if they aren’t on ♀️.. I hate what Mal has done to them and like Gina said “they worked, why mess it up?” Gina and Jason are Fantastic Actors who always bring their best to the table but I’m so hurt they have to be broken again and Mal is destroying such greatness Gina said she was “emotional” not working with Jason.. Trust me Gina the fans feel it way more I can only hope that somehow out of this mess, comes a beautiful love story that can be recreated with Philly
Totally enjoyed this article. Thank you
Nick and Phyllis burned up the sheets there. I kinda like their dynamic. Very interested to see Gina and Joshua’s interpretation of Nick and Phyllis if they go there. It would be cool to see them as friends before entering into a sexual relationship.
Phyllis and Billy are great, but they need a break. Send that dirty Summer away.
Gina is such a flawless actress to watch. I love watching her. She’s a joy.
Phick friends and sexual partners is 2006 lol
Phyllis was shocked to be told that her daughter,Summer,slept with her boyfriend,Billy.
Interviews
‘The Young and the Restless’ Eric Braeden Talks Daytime Emmy Nomination, State of Nikki and Victor’s Marriage, and His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
Eric Braeden has been playing Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless for 46 years. The iconic star of the #1 rated daytime drama series has thus far won once for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series back in 1998 in a ceremony he did not attend. Fast-forward to 2026 and the 85-year-old Braeden is once again nominated in the category for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Earlier this month, Eric, along with 4 other actors learned they were going for gold at the ceremonies on October 30. In a twist of fate, fellow co-star and also Lead Actor nominee, Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R) and Braeden submitted the same scenes which centered around Victor firing his longtime attorney and friend, Michael Baldwin.
In a new interview, now on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Braeden shares: his thoughts on the nomination, if he will attend daytime’s biggest night of the year, what he thinks will happen with the current cracks within the relationship of Y&R’s Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor, his reaction to the heartbreaking scene where Nick (Joshua Morrow) admits to Victor that he has a drug addiction, and much more.
Photo: JPI
VICTOR NEWMAN AND MICHAEL BALDWIN EMMY SCENES
On his Lead Actor Emmy-nominated reel, Eric recalled, “The show submitted it for me and I said, ‘Yeah, go ahead.’ Had I known Christian was part of it, I would’ve said, ‘No!’ I’m kidding. It’s difficult to do a scene with Christian without beginning to laugh in the middle of it. Anyway, he’s wonderful to work with and he did a wonderful job, and I’m grateful for the nomination.”
Braeden also shared plans for attending this year’s Daytime Emmys with his granddaughter making it all the more special, “I will go this year. You know why? It’s an honor first of all, and secondly, my granddaughter, when she heard about it, she says, ‘Opa, can I go? I already know what dress I would buy.’ I mean, it was so sweet. But you bet. Now, I’ll really go to the Emmys!”
Photo: JPI
CAN NIKKI AND VICTOR’S MARRIAGE SURVIVE?
Over the past year, Nikki and Victor’s marriage has been on shaky ground, especially after Victor caught his nemesis, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) alone in a hotel room with his wife. Nikki went on a bender and Jack was her AA sponsor, but in order to help her, he almost OD’d himself. Victor believes the two hit the sheets.
Now in 2026, Victor was there after Nikki woke up after surgery to save her eyesight, and she has yet to see post-procedure. However, Braeden notes ‘not so fast’ on a reconciliation.
“I would say it will be a rocky road, because you don’t get over these things so quickly. You don’t,” teased Eric. “It’s jealousy and it’s a very, very deep emotion, and every time there’s something that reminds Victor of that incident, he will feel that emotion. It’s an emotion that is not taken seriously enough by people. Relationships are very difficult because of that sometimes.”
Photo: CBS
JOSHUA MORROW DOING THE FINEST WORK OF HIS CAREER
Back in March of this year, in one of the most unforgettable in this, or any soap season, Nick Newman accompanied by his brother Adam (Mark Grossman), came to see Victor where Nick admitted he now has a drug addiction to fentanyl and how he is so ashamed of himself. In the scene, Victor goes to comfort his son, calling him, “My boy” while broken-hearted.
Eric recalled the taping of the scene: “It touched me deeply and it was one of those moments that a father and son don’t want. They’re horrified by that. I think Joshua made an enormous leap in acting in that scene. He showed what he is capable of. It was a very, very touching scene. We had some scenes after that, again, about the same thing. Now, there’s a whole deeper connection between father and son. Any father would almost have a breakdown knowing that his son is on drugs or his daughter. It was a very well-written scene.”
Photo: JPI
ERIC BRAEDEN AND MICHELLE STAFFORD MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY
The Young and the Restless led the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations with 18, more than any other series or programs. One of the nominations belongs to Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) who nabbed another Lead Actress nod.
Recently, Eric and Michelle have shared much screen-time since Phyllis took Victor’s company from him. During the Michael Fairman Channel’s Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live!, Stafford she loved working opposite Eric in the storyline, to which Eric has now responded.
“It’s mutual because I love watching her work,” exclaimed the TV icon. “I just don’t know what she’s going to do in a scene and I love spontaneous moments. I don’t like it to be set and adhered to. I like it to be improvised as much as possible. Michelle is just so facile, so quick, so smart as an actress. She’s wonderful.”
Check out the full conversation with Eric below.
Now weigh-in: are you happy to see Eric receive a Lead Actor nomination? Do you think Nikki and Victor will continue to have issues in their marriage? Did you like the scenes with Michelle Stafford and Eric, and of course the hankie-inducing moment between Joshua Morrow and his TV dad? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Interviews
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Scott Clifton Talks His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, and the Omission of His Scene Partner, Annika Noelle (Exclusive)
Less than two weeks ago, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer) received the news he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actor category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Clifton delivered what may have been the best work of his career in 2025; in a heartbreaking story arc where a believed-to-be-dying Liam tries to come to terms with his fate, and what his exit from the land of the living means, and what it would do to the daughters he leaves behind, the women he’s loved, and his father.
Going into this year’s Emmy race, Scott is already a three-time Daytime Emmy winner and a record holder for being the only actor to have won in the three acting categories throughout his career: the now defunct Younger Actor, Supporting Actor and Lead Actor.
Shortly after receiving the news of his latest nomination, Scott shared his reaction and what scenes he decided to include on his now Emmy-nominated reel when he participated in the Michael Fairman Channel’s Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live!
During the conversation with Scott, it was very apparent that he feels his on-screen partnership with Annika Noelle (Hope) was a key to his success in 2025, and one of the reason for a key scene he chose. However, Annika’s name was left off the nomination list which disappointed Clifton as he shared below.
Photo: JPI
HOW SCOTT CLIFTON WENT ABOUT CRAFTING HIS LEAD ACTOR REEL
“They got a lot of reels to watch. So, I just picked three scenes. It’s important to create a context so that people aren’t completely lost,” explains Clifton on his best practices strategy. “I picked the scene where Liam found out the diagnosis (about his inoperable brain mass), where Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) tell him which sets the stage. And then, there is a scene where Liam is saying “don’t tell anyone.”
Next, there’s the scene at Il Giardino between myself and Don Diamont (Bill) where Liam is telling his father without telling him, by saying, ‘I just want you to know how much I love you, and how grateful I am to you.'”
Then, the final scene, and I owe it all to Annika, was between Liam and Hope. This is where Hope kind of says, ‘I know,’ and then they just have a conversation about their lives and their daughter. Liam also talks about his mom. It just seemed real to me and the best way to close it out. That was it. That was the whole reel about 11 minutes long.”
Photo: JPI
ANNIKA AND SCOTT’S BITTERSWEET EMMY MOMENT
When Scott connected with his on-screen wife, Annika Noelle, following the news of his nomination, which actually came on the Monday before the full nominations were revealed on Tuesday via Extra, there were a rollercoaster of emotions.
Scott detailed, “Annika sent the most beautiful congratulations, and I was trying to figure out if they had announced her category. However, it was in the middle of that conversation that she said. ‘no.’ And then, the conversation turned into my rage for her not being recognized because that whole story was just as much hers as it was mine.”
“My, God,” Clifton continued. “The way that she had to downplay so many things and keep the secret that she knew, that I knew, that she knew. The end of that scene, I couldn’t not include it. It’s more a scene about her and how hard this is for her than it was about Liam. It blew me away that she wasn’t recognized for it this year, but she will next year.”
You can check out Scott’s segment on the Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live! below at roughly the 25:46 mark into the show.
So, were you happy to hear what scenes Scott submitted that earned him a Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination? Do you think he’s one of the frontrunners to take home the gold when the Daytime Emmys are handed out on October 30? Do you feel as Scott does that Annika Noelle should have been a nominee for her work in 2025? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Christopher Sean Opens Up About His Daytime Emmy Nomination to Honor His Late TV Father, Drake Hogestyn (Exclusive)
There was not a dry eye in the house when in June of 2025, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean) gets up to eulogize his father, John Black (Drake Hogestyn), after the iconic character passed away and his funeral brought Salem together for one last goodbye.
In real life, Drake Hogestyn had passed away of pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 back on September 28, 2024. When DAYS taped the funeral episode, Drake was still alive and had given his blessing to the series longtime executive producer, Ken Corday, that it was OK with him to kill off his character and to have a memorial. Sadly, shortly after the cast filmed the scenes, Drake died leaving a lasting legacy on DAYS that will never be matched.
Earlier this week on Tuesday, Christopher Sean received the bittersweet news that he had received a Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for his performances. Christopher appeared shortly after the news of his nomination on the Michael Fairman Channel’s Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 were he shared his emotional reaction. Here’s part of what he expressed below.
Photo: JPI
WHAT DID CHRISTOPHER SEAN SUBMIT?
“I submitted Paul’s lowest moments in his life, and Paul’s highest moments, meaning the eulogy with John Black, his father, and for my hero, Drake Hogestyn, and Paul getting married to Andrew (Colton Little). So it was two very opposite ends of his life. But what a great culmination of 12 years of being on Days of Our Lives it was.”
ALWAYS BEING GRATEFUL TO DRAKE HOGESTYN
“Even talking about it now, I have so much love for Drake. I’ve got him here on my wall and I wake up every day and I try to make him proud. It’s hard to talk about it, but I feel that my life is on the path that I am because of him, because of him being my role model, because of him loving and guiding me, because of everything that he has taught me on and off the set.”
Photo: JPI
THE EARLY STRUGGLES WITH PAUL’S EULOGY AND HEARTFELT ADDITIONS TO THE DIALOG
“I had been texting back and forth with Drake and I was actually pretty angry, because I felt that we shouldn’t exploit this, but Drake was so attached to the fan base that when Ken Corday spoke with him and gave him the permission to allow the fans to grieve with us, that’s when I said, ‘OK, if that’s what he wants, then I’m going to go full throttle with it.’ In Paul’s eulogy and monologue I’d read it and without asking the writers, I added a few lines and they allowed me to keep them.”
Christopher continued, “One of the lines was, ‘anytime I see a rainbow in the sky’ and I said, ‘and a baseball up high, or a rainbow in the sky,’ because I wanted to attribute it to baseball and to Drake. It was already perfect the way it was written, but that was my nod to Drake. We all loved him and there’s not a person I know who didn’t love him. Drake lit up any room he was a part of. I would not be here, again, without Drake.”
You can catch Christopher’s conversation on the Daytime Emmy Nominations Special at the 2:14:25 mark below.
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed in a ceremony on October 30 from the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood California. Current plans are for the event to stream live on the National Academy Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps.
So, will you be rooting for Christopher to take home the gold for his heartbreaking performance of Paul’s grief over losing John and then marrying Andrew? Were you touched by how much Drake Hogestyn had meant to his life and career? Let us know via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
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