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Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan On Chelsea’s Battle with Depression: “This Storyline Has Been, and Continues to Be, One of the Most Humbling and Important Experiences of My Life”

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/CBS

The Young and the Restless began to reveal last week just how deep a depression, the character of Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan), finds herself in.  On last Friday’s episode, Chelsea is seen considering ending her life by jumping off a building.

As Michael Fairman TV previously posted, we named Melissa Claire Egan’s work, The Power Performance of the Week, and today on the CBS daytime drama, emotional distress continues for Chelsea.

On Monday, Egan took to her Instagram to share her thoughts on being the vessel to tell this all-important storyline of our time; which addresses mental health and those suffering in silence.

Melissa expressed: “This storyline has been, and continues to be, one of the most humbling and important experiences of my life. I’m grateful and honored to be able to tell this story, hopefully in a respectful and responsible way. Mental health is so important and depression is something that affects so many, and does not discriminate. Please know you are loved and not alone. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress or experiencing any thoughts of suicide please call 988 or text SAVE to 741741 to talk to a counselor for free. Or visit save.org. ❤️”

What do you think about the sentiments shared by Melissa’s, and Chelsea’s current storyline on Y&R? Comment below. But first, check out this message from Melissa and co-star Jason Thompson posted ahead of Monday’s episode of The Young and the Restless.

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I applaud daytime For its work in illuminating important issues. I hope mental health is seen as an ongoing concern here and not an easy way to explain away bad behavior of characters or mistakes made by writers/producers. That’s been done before with mental health, brain injury and tumors, and other illnesses.

I was so impressed with Melissa’s performance, not realizing there was a agonizing story behind her actions. I feel like a heel—-thinking the writers were trying to educe pity with a serious human malady by using the viewer as a weapon to “like” Chelsea. She has been in the back seat for a while.
The same goes for Jason—well done!! For the first time I see Billy as a hero—-someone who truly cares about human life—-The pain of losing a child changes one’s perspective in life and accelerated true sorrow for someone else’s pain. The writers have displayed this natural, human emotion magnificently.

Well written. My take was from a different and less poignant angle. Thank you all who have felt the import of the message.

Hi, Tani–it’s been a while…Hope all is well.
I didn’t get Chelsea’s mental strain, at first, either. This is a very sensitive, real-life issue which has increased since the Covid “lock-up”—Many of the afflicted are kids —they felt imprisoned, where going to school on a daily basis, gave them purpose. These are the kids who need order and a routine in their lives.
Aside—We are presently #40 in the world, as far as Academia is concerned. Many did not get the guidance, the emotional balance and their mental hunger fed as they would have in a classroom setting.
Tomorrow is a new day….❤️

You know, Celia…back in 1986, “Guiding Light” had a story where Reva Shayne attempted suicide by going into a freezing river. She ultimately fought back before it was too late but not before I’d also had a profound experience. I’d had a badly broken (shredded, really) heart shortly before and am no longer ashamed to admit that I was in the same place as Reva. Somehow seeing an ordinary person with no history of suicidal feelings hit that hard by life deeply touched and strengthened me. After a few months (and a lot of Joni Mitchell records), I knew I was permanently past the heartbreak and knew I was strong enough to deal with anything. I’m happy to say that I still am. But the power of that story was the catalyst to my healing and so I applaud this Chelsea story. If even one person responds to it, it is worth it.

I understan, my friend—very much so. I never contemplated suicide, but after my baby died, I went into a deep depression—I barely ate—spent most of my days and nights in bed, wanting to see or speak to anyone—if anyone saved me, it was my husband—
I had my eldest little boy to think about—That thought ( my Nico himself ) and my husband sprung me out of my “how-do-I-go-on” miserable world.
It has been ten years—I survived, but the sorrow is always under the surface. ..he’s there–in my heart–I am very happy—albeit my tears flow easily as i write this.
Kindred spirits!!❤️Stay well.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’

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Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!

The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.

Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off.  A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI

BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”

Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing.  My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”

As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.

Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.

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Josh Griffith Out as Head Writer at ‘The Young and the Restless’

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In a major behind the scenes move, The Young and the Restless current head writer, Josh Griffith is stepping down from his duties and is soon exiting the top-rated soap opera.

TV Insider was first to break the news and according to their report, Griffith’s departure was his own choice and the cast and crew learned of his decision earlier today on Friday, June 26.

Griffith’s resignation is not effective immediately and for now he will be continuing to tell the stories in Genoa City. As of this writing, Y&R has not named Josh’s successor.

Photo: JPI

Previously, Josh stepped down from his other major duty as the soap opera’s co-executive producer. It was just two months ago we learned that longtime Y&R vet Sally McDonald took over the EP role, while Josh was remaining the series head writer.

A SOAP WRITER WELL-TRAVELED

The seven-time Daytime Emmy winner has had a storied career and tenure in the field of daytime drama. Josh began his soap writing career in 1988 with Santa Barbara, then went to One Life to Live, where he was promoted to co-head writer. He ended his time in Llanview, at that time, in 1995. Later, he co-created Sunset Beach with Bob Guza Jr. The series ran from 1997-99 on NBC. One Life to Live called again and Josh returned as co-head writer again alongside Michael Malone from 2003-2004. Next, he joined the writing team of As the World Turns.

It was back in 2006 that Griffith first came to Genoa City and The Young and the Restless. He started in the capacity of creative consultant, as a breakdown writer, and then was tapped as the series co-executive producer. After departing in 2008. It was not until 2012-2013 that he made a short return before heading to Days of Our Lives to become the co-head writer of Salem from 2015-2016.

Eventually, Josh resurfaced at Y&R as Supervising Producer before becoming head writer in 2019 after Mal Young’s exit. Griffith had served as both head writer and executive producer from 2023-25. In 2025, Sally McDonald joined him as the series co-executive producer until the recent change a few months ago where McDonald is the sole EP.

So, what do you think of Josh Griffith stepping down as head writer at The Young and the Restless? Who would you like to see as his successor? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.

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‘Revenge’ 15 Year Reunion On Tap at Television Academy’s ‘Televerse’ Festival

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One of the more intriguing primetime soap’s was ABC’s Revenge. It debuted in 2011 and became a smash hit. Revenge ran for 4 seasons and ended in May of 2015 after 89 thrilling and dramatic episodes.

Now, fans have a chance to be a part of the Revenge 15 year reunion when series stars Emily Van Camp (Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke), Josh Bowman (Daniel Grayson), Nick Wechsler (Jack Porter), Gabriel Mann (Nolan Ross), Ashley Madekwe (Ashley Davenport), Connor Paolo (Declan Poter), and Christa B. Allen (Charlotte Grayson) participate in a panel discussion at the upcoming Television Academy’s Televerse festival in Los Angeles at LA Live.

The cast will reunite on stage and revisit the relationships, rivalries, and dramatic twists that made the series a watercooler phenomenon, and its influence in the years since.

Courtesy/ABC

WHY REVENGE WAS SO JUICY GOOD

As those recall, Revenge was a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo set in the picturesque Hamptons, and followed Emily Thorne /Amanda Clarke’s mission to exact retribution on the powerful family that destroyed her father.

One of the other actors who appeared in mutiple story-arcs on Revenge was Passions, Y&R, This Is Us and now Tracker star, Justin Hartley. On Revenge, Hartley played the role of Patrick Osbourne, Victoria Grayson’s (Madeline Stowe) long-lost firstborn son who was given up for adoption when he was six months old. Patrick arrived in the Hamptons in Season 3, initially sparking a complex, romantic relationship with Nolan Ross.

In-addition, in real-life Emily Van Camp and Josh Bowman, who met on the set of Revenge have now been married since 2018 and share two daughters together, Iris and Rio.

MORE ABOUT TELEVERSE AND THE TV ACADEMY’S WORK

The TV Academy (who administrates the Primetime Emmys) will be holding their annual Televerse line-up of panels on August 14-16, as they celebrate television’s Emmy-nominated programs, innovative storytellers, and beloved content, providing attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to see beyond the screen and come face-to-face with your favorite shows.

For further information on panels and more, visit Televerse.com

So, were you a fan of Revenge when it aired on ABC? If so, who was your favorite character? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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