News
Y&R’s Kate Linder Honored for 40 Years as Esther By the Hollywood Museum (PHOTOS)
Thursday night, Kate Linder received very special honors from the Hollywood Museum to celebrate her 40th anniversary as Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless.
Who knew that after Kate said the lines, “Dinner is Served” in what was to be a one-line one-day appearance on the CBS daytime soap opera, thst she would end up remaining on the show for four decades!
As fans of the iconic soap opera know, Linder’s Esther was the dutiful and trusting maid to the Duchess of Genoa City, Katherine Chancellor (the late Jeanne Cooper). The two shared many memorable scenes and with Jess Walton (Jill) too. In addition, Esther’s familial ties grew wider when her grown-up daughter, “Kate” now known as Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson), came back to Genoa City several years ago.
At the Hollywood Museum event in Linder’s honor, Esther’s costumes were now part of a new exhibit: from her her maid’s uniform and cap, and the same feather duster her character has used on the soap opera for decades. The exhibit also features Kate’s first-ever script from the show and art taken of her in Esther’s maid uniform throughout the years.

Photo: JPI
Those speaking at the event included: longtime Y&R castmate, Sharon Case (Sharon) and former castmate, currently appearing on B&B, Sean Kanan (Deacon).

Photo: JPI
Other Y&R stars in attendance included: Bryton James (Devon Hamilton), Mishael Morgan (Amanda Sinclair), and Robert Newman (Ashland Locke) and Michael Learned (Ex-The Waltons, who also played Katherine Chancellor and filled in for Jeanne Cooper on Y&R). In addition, GH favorite Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) was part of the event, and many others.
Take a look at some of the moments from Kate’s big night in Hollywood from the red carpet to the speeches in the photo gallery below.
Now, share your congrats to Kate for 40 years as Y&R’s Esther Valentine in the comment section.
Photo Credits: JPI
Is she still even with the show? Confused haven’t seen or heard about her in forever?
Y&R should smartly use its beloved vets with regularity. There may be no front burner storylines but daily life and bridge scenes are part of soap life. Thanks to corporate cheapskates and Covid, we do not enjoy several days of story at large group events. People are referred to and not engaging. Have Esther frequent Crimson Lights. Join Chloe for lunch. Be on a society committee with Nikki or Tracie. Snippets of life. They matter. And Miss Kinder and others are vital to that and deserve some focus.
Kay is quite right, of course. Esther is one of a sad list of good characters and great performers who have been swept aside in service of stupid plots like the return of Diane Jenkins (did ANYONE miss her?) and the stale tale of Baby Dom and his ENDLESS assortment of names and parents. Kevin, Michael, Lauren, Traci, Ashley, Paul, Christine, Jill, Esther, have only been given token appearances in the past few months so we can have more and more of Devon, Abby, and now Jack and his new granddaughter. They bring on a talented and sexy nuNoah and drop him in Sad Sack Heaven mooning over his future sister-in-law? At least we’re hopefully done with Amanda’s dreadful family. And thank whomever that wonderful Michael Mealor is back as Kyle and that gorgeous Chance will have a life away from Abby the Albatross. The Ashland story needs to go AWAY, too…yesterday!
We hardly see her anymore, now that she’s a grandma to Chloe’s kids. She was an important part of Mrs. C’s life as maid,friend, confidante, partner in crime, whatever Catherine needed her to be and especially as a buffer between Catherine and Jill, who was hell on wheels back then. I think they should use her more, but they seem to have set her aside as they have Paul and others.
I always wondered how she has maintained a contract actor status for all these years. Why do I have a gut feeling that Jeanne Cooper had something to do with that. Because to become a contract actor is hard enough, but to maintain it when you are never on camera is even harder to imagine. Love the actress, wish she was on more often.
Wish Y and R would give Esther a clever storyline, perhaps something or someone from Kay Chancellor’s past– like a “purported” long-lost sister (or half-sister) played by Erika Slezak. Could bring new life into the Dina Mergeron/Stuart Brookes/Philip Chancellor past… even Joanna Manning. Like so many other viewers have said: give Lauren and Michael, Kevin and Chloe and Gloria, front-burner stories. Same with Esther.
General Hospital
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain

Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall, General Hospital) has taken to her Instagram for the second time this week and now honors her late dear friend and General Hospital co-star, Billy Miller (ex-Drew Cain) on what would have been his 47th birthday on September 17.
In her post, Monaco wished Billy “a heavenly birthday” and shared a typewritten note from her beloved co-star after he exited General Hospital in the role of Drew Cain. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor played the part from 2014-2019.
Monaco wrote accompanying the photo of Billy’s letter: “He (Billy) sent me this a few years ago, after he left (the show) wanting me to post it… I didn’t/ But… I know he wanted anyone who’s ever supported his work and or got to know him as a friend to read this letter.”

Photo: JPI
BILLY MILLER WON THREE DAYTIME EMMYS FOR HIS WORK IN SOAPS
Billy Miller was one of the most respected actors to ever grace the daytime screens for his portrayals as Richie Novack on All My Children from 2007-2008 and Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless from 2008 until 2014 and of course, his final soap stop on General Hospital. He also appeared on primetime’s Ray Donovan and Suits.
TOUCHING GOODBYE LETTER AFTER EXITING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Here now, is what Billy shared in his letter after exiting GH: “Hello, friends… With a slight air of sadness it is time to ponder what ‘goodbye’ means. However, instead of dwelling on what is gone and sure to be missed, there is another way.”
“Maybe our goodbye is really a remembrance of love felt, an appreciation for lives shared and the lifelong reminiscences that come from embraces given and received, Maybe our goodbye is an earnest hope for the brightest path forward for us all,” expressed Miller. “Maybe our goodbye is honoring growth and lessons learned.”
The beloved star added, “Now, instead of sadness, I am filled with gratitude for all your support, encouragement and every emotion shared. I cherish the journey we have taken together, Thank you for allowing me into your homes and lives. With every ounce of myself, I thank you for being you. I would be remiss in this crazy, unpredictable world we all love so much if I did not hold out the possibility that maybe our goodbye is really… until next time.”
Sadly, Billy died by suicide three years ago on September 15, 2023, just two days shy of what would have been his 43rd birthday. You can check out Kelly’s post below.
Now, share your remembrances today of Billy Miller and the touching letter he wrote after leaving General Hospital, that Kelly Monaco posted in tribute to her friend and co-star via the comment section below.
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News
Patrika Darbo and Ashley Campbell Set to Appear on ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Shirley and Coco Spectra

As the nuptials of Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) are drawing near in October on The Young and the Restless, a few of Sally’s family will be showing up in Genoa City for the big day.
The Young and the Restless has confirmed that Patrika Darbo, who originated the role of Shirley Spectra on The Bold and the Beautiful and last appeared on Y&R back on video calls in story in 2021 with her granddaughter, Sally, will be back on-screen next month.
Darbo originated the role of Shirley, the sister of the legendary Sally Spectra Garrison (the late Darlene Conley), first on B&B from 2017 to 2018. Known for countless television and film roles, Patrika Darbo is best known for her run on Days of our Lives as Nancy Wesley.

Photo: JPI
THE SPECTRAS ARE COMING TO SUPPORT SALLY
Joining Darbo will be Ashley Campbell in the role of Coco Spectra. The role was last played on B&B by Courtney Grosbeck. Coco is the younger sister of Sally’s. Grosbeck was seen in the role on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2017-2018 and was involved with the character of R.J. Forrester.
Campbell is a model and an actress who has previously appeared on HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls and the film Spellbound.
Previously, Y&R’s executive producer Sally McDonald teased Bill and Sallys upcoming wedding: “Billy is his own worst enemy now more than ever as his need for revenge takes over his life. He will receive a reality check from Sally, leading them both on planning the wedding of the year. Sally will find herself navigating politics in her personal life when she is faced with major decisions about the wedding. Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally always seem to find their lives intertwined whether they like it or not, and this fall will be no different. Billy and Sally’s nuptials will be the wedding of the year, and you should expect the unexpected!”
So, excited to see Sally’s family joining her in Genoa City in time for her wedding to Billy? Do you think Sally and Billy’s wedding will say “I do?” Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Blythe Howard Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Monet: Who is She Connected to in Port Charles?

General Hospital continues to add new characters to the canvas. Now comes word of the arrival of Monet, a savvy lawyer played by Blythe Howard. Look for Monet to debut in Port Charles next week on the Wednesday, September 23 episode.
According to TV Insider, “Monet arrives in town as a litigator who recently joined Miller & Davis, the firm run by Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) and Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn), and meets with a Port Charles resident in need of legal counsel.”
In a statement, General Hospital’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared, “I am very excited to welcome Blythe Howard to the cast of General Hospital. Look for her to have an unexpected connection to a beloved Port Charles resident.”
FROM TELEVISION TO CANCER SURVIVOR TO GIVING BACK
If Howard looks familiar you may have seen her on several television series including: Yellowstone, Power Book IV: Force, Walker, 9-1-1: Lone Star, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, CW’s Dynasty, Silicon Valley plus David Fincher‘s Mindhunter.

Photo: ChemoQueens
Blythe is also a cancer survivor having cofounded Chemo Queens with her sister Kelsey Howard. The company creates products for people undergoing cancer treatment, including a patent-pending cold cap design.
In recent months, General Hospital has brought in several new actors for brand new roles or recasts. They include: Alimi Ballard (William Baines), Jonathan Bennett (Joe Fitzpatrick), Kearran Giovanni (Dr. Nichols), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts), Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Kayden Brennan Tokarski (Scout Cain) and Troy Lennon Appel (Hudson Parker). You can now add Blythe Howard to this list.
So, who do you think Monet has an unexpected connection to that is a “beloved” Port Charles resident as teased by Frank Valentini? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
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