News
Y&R's Jess Walton Talks On Katherine's Memorial Episodes, Jill's Love Life & Regime Changes!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Jess Walton (Jill) has been delivering Emmy-worthy performances all through the passing of Katherine Chancellor (the late Jeanne Cooper) storyline on The Young and the Restless, and while the vote seemed to be split by the fans on if the memorial episodes in Mrs C.’s honor were up to snuff or not, Walton discussed it, and other hot topics with MSN Entertainment Canada.
From the recent head writing and producing changes, to Jill’s love life, to the Nikki/Jill bonding moments and more, to her status with the CBS soap, reading what Jess has to say is an interesting read. Here are just a few excerpts below:
Walton’s reaction to many fans feeling that it should have been Jill’s bio-son, Billy (Billy Miller) who should have comforted her during her emotional moment at the memorial, but instead it was Cane (Daniel Goddard): “The trouble is, is that Cane was involved in her storyline at that time and that’s the choice that the writers had made. I would have loved for it have been both Cane and Billy, myself! I would have loved to have seen all of her grandchildren there as well. But, we did have a lot of people there, so I guess they had to make their choices.”
Walton on the decision by former Y&R EP, Maria Arena Bell, and current EP, Jill Farren Phelps, to write off Jill’s last flame, Colin played by fan favorite,Tristan Rogers: “That was my very favourite romance for Jill, ever! I was completely aghast when she let him go. That was actually a big part about why I left.”
Walton on her status with Y&R which is currently recurring: “That’s a personal choice. I’m supposed to retired, actually! I had left the show because the last regime didn’t really show much interest in Jill. When Jill Farren Phelps took over, she made it very clear to me that she really was interested in the character of Jill and wanted to bring her back – which is why I came back. But I’m still supposed to be retired! (Laughs) Although, it’s not working out that way!”
So Y&R fans,what do you think about Jess’ comments on the Cane/Billy memorial moment debate? Was Colin the best man ever for Jill? Do you think that Jess should be nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her recent performances in the 2014 race? Comment below!
Wow………..Jess didn’t like what MAB was doing to her character. Someone has spoken up!
Love Jess Walton & Tristan Rogers and really miss Jill and Colin.
I wish Jess would return, I’m hardly watching these days and I’ve watched since I was in grade school from the very beginning. Losing Katherine Chancellor was hard enough but losing Jill along with her completely cuts the connection from the beginning of Y&R, and a whole bunch of characters, and a rich family past. We’ve lost a whole family , 1/3 of the show without her.
I realize Y&R can add relatives to Kay & Jill with the stroke of the pen, but without the familiar faces it doesn’t have any impact. Devon doesn’t have a connection to Nina, Chance, Phillip 3, Amber, Mac, Brock, Larry Warton, and many many others, only Jill. Devon can be wealthy, and they can name a park Chancellor, but neither can carry on the family or it’s history, only Jill can do that.
Jill needs more on-screen time to have those moments with Billy and all of her family. We need to see her business and love life too. Jill’s the only original character remaining so many of us have followed her forever and just playing supporting isn’t really satisfying. If she doesn’t want to work full time I think Y&R should schedule her differently, 2 or 3 REAL stories a year rather than appearances every month.
I’d love to see Colin & Jill again too they were terrific. Colin could easily be transformed into a grey character by saying he was working undercover for the government all along. Genevieve’s death could trigger his return to Genoa City. But first we need more Jill!
Tristan Rogers was great I do not know what is wrong with MAB or JFP you have a great actor that still looks great for his age and let’s get rid of him so we can still have some more non-stop Victor /EB. I mean has that guys storyline or dialogue ever changed? I am not a Cane fan they are screwing up big time Billy is her son end of story. Where the hell was Brock at the reading of the will we give all the money to Devon really? Please send this character to live with Tucker another character we did not need. Jess Walton is over 60 therefore she will only be used as back-up for storyline for the young boy toys this is JFP we are talking about. If you had to put a GH employee in my face 24/7 it should have been Tristan Rogers.
I adore Jess Walton. She had the unenviable job of taking over an iconic over-the-top character previously portrayed by Brenda Dickson. I remember Jess’s first episode, and I knew that day she was indeed Jill Foster Abbott. The Jill/Catherine feud took its twists and turns through the late 80’s and 90’s; and in the early 00’s, we were rewarded with the mother/daughter story, which, for me, was a beautiful outcome and propelled and fueled this story for many more years. That is, until the destructive forces of MAB un-did history. This was such an important story for me, because I’m a VERY long time viewer, and it’s hard for me to watch today, because all of the jarring undone histories, rapidly aged characters and new undeveloped character. That being said, I love the opportunity to see Jess Walton’s Jill onscreen. She is another example of beauty, grace, class and talent.
I also think Billy should have been the one to comfort Jill, but since we rarely see the two on screen interacting as mother and son, I guess I can understand why it was Cane. Also Katherine did ask Cane to look after Jill in her letter to him, I suppose he felt more compel than Billy to be there for her.
I don’t know if Cane’s father played by TR was her best romance, but they were definitely fun to watch. It was nice to see Jill soften up at bit, and have fun for a change. In recent years they have written Jill as always angry or full of self pity, it was getting a bit tiresome to watch. So that romance was a nice change of pace for Jill and for us viewers.
As for an Emmy, sorry, I don’t think she really did anything out of realm of what she normally does to warrant one. There a few actress on other soaps that have just blown me away,which imo would be more deserving, but the point is moot, because if Heather Tom enters the race, she will win— right?
Totally agree about the emmy business but yes Heather Tom has the ego of course she will submit herself. The awards are a joke anyway and in the scheme of things they do not mean anything. I was not impressed at all with Katherine’s memorial service all it has turned out to be as we all know is for a long lost son Dylan to be even more front and center these gals MTS & JW go on and on because JFP throws them a bone but in the end it will be all about her pets as usual.
It was an okay interview. She keeps bringing up the fact that she is supposed to be retired so we really can’t gripe if the writers keep shoving Cane down everybody’s throats even though he is related to no one because at the end of the day, beggars can’t be choosers — she is supposed to be retired REMEMBER? lol
Jess Walton is the best actress on the Y&R, less the death of J.Cooper .She walks in a room and her presence, commands respect.She was fantastic with T.R.They really should bring him back.She will get an Emmy nomination,Heather Tom who????She is overly dramatic,storyline is too.
Jess ROCKED her scenes, but, she always has! She had to bring it and she delivered on so many levels. Emmy, you had BETTER be listening!!!
Jess is and always will be a class act – now it’s time to make Jill the grande dame of GC!!
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
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
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
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
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
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
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