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Y&R's Lauralee Bell on Nina/Chris, Chance's "death" & if she would make a permanent return!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

On-Air On-Soaps caught up with The Young and the Restless, Lauralee Bell (Christine) this week to discuss Chance’s “death”, Tricia Cast’s (Nina) and Lauralee’s heartbreaking performances surrounding the key story point, and to find out if she would now consider a permanent return to the soap.  Lauralee was on hand at the set of  B&B for the celebration honoring her mom, Lee Phillip Bell, who received a Lifetime Membership to IATSE Local 33 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) for her contribution to the the Guild for the past 37 years.   Below are some excepts from our conversation with Lauralee!

Lauralee on if she knew of the story twist that Chance was going to end up alive when she signed on to come back for her visit  to Y&R this time: “I did not know Chance was going to be alive, either.  And once I did find out, I had to call up to the office and ask, “Did Christine know all along?” But I did kind of figure this out for myself.  Even the day we were taping the scene where I am yelling at Ronan about how did it go down this way, I had to call the booth the day before to get clarification. As an actor, I think it was the best way to do this.  I was never ahead of myself.  Even at the funeral, all of the Abbott’s did not know what the hell was going on which was great, and that is rare for soaps these days, because everyone usually knows.  So it kind of kept it exciting.”

Lauralee on her thoughts of those final scenes where Chance meets up with his mom, Nina, and father, Phillip, after they believe he had “died”, and where Christine was so heartbroken over watching Nina’s emotional turmoil: “It was amazing and great.  It is a whole different mentality because we would never have to do something like that before.  Now that I have a son in real life, when the line is spoken between Chance and Nina, “Let’s make a promise to look at the moon” it is really powerful.  As my character, Christine, I was thinking this is so amazing, and so sad at the same time, that this is what they are going to have to go through.  And, I can relate it back to my own son. We are all older, and so it gives it a whole different feel to everything we played.”

Lauralee on how the relationship between Chris and Nina will wrap-up before she exits: “The way it wraps up is kind of sweet.  There are a couple of final scenes with Tricia (Nina) before I go.  You will see.  There is also a little scene with Jeanne Cooper (Katherine), but very little.  Chris is not going to leave before she can do her best to get everything as well situated for Nina’s life as she can.  But this time when I say goodbye, I really do leave! (Laughs)  I have an exit where you know I am leaving.”

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Lauralee on how she felt about her return to Y&R this time: “I purposely waited a long time to come back to the show, but it made sense and I feel like “mission accomplished”.  I know it may sound silly to say that, but it was the proper amount of time, and what I wanted to do for now.  It gave the audience a taste of what it would be like to have Christine around, so we shall see.  Maria Bell, (Y&R  head writer and EP) has been asking me to do more, but I am still airing, so it hasn’t been that long. I told her we would talk again in a couple of months.”

Lauralee on her real-life relationship with Tricia Cast: “We are very, very close friends, and we are very different as people, but we are so tight as friends.  We have grown to respect and count on each other, and love each, and that makes this all the more fun.”

Lauralee on her mother, Lee’s honor by IATSE:  “My mom for years would be so graciously received by IATSE.  It’s nice to be respected by the crew and everyone behind the scenes. I am super proud of my mother and every award is due to her, and I truly believe it.  She is amazing woman.”

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THis is a really nice article, Michael. We really don’t hear too much from Lauralee. But her role in these episodes have been very good and it gave her a really good story to come back for. I hope they will bring her back again and maybe be with Paul as she was in the past. Especially, since Nina broke up with him. Thanks, Michael….

This was a great article. I really hope Lauralee returns. Have loved her as Cricket forever.

Lauralee is a beautiful person who portrays Cricket so well. She is an asset to Y&R. Her fans will always welcome her back.

Best wishes Lauralee. Please come back soon!

Chris and Nick LOL, that would have both Sharon and Phyliss shitting their pants

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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.

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