News
Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott On Long Time Co-Star Eric Braeden: "I Know How To Handle Him!"

Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
The Young and the Restless Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) spoke to TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan in a great interview with some hilarious and brilliant quotes about being married again on-screen one mo’ time, as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the CBS Daytime soap opera.
Our favorite part of this was actually in the intro of the piece where Logan related back Nikki’s full name which included all of her former hubby’s to date … Nikki Reed Foster Bancroft DiSalvo Newman Abbott Landers Newman Newman Chow Sharpe Abbott Newman!
Melody was asked how she has managed to stay on long time co-star Eric Braeden’s (Victor Newman) good side after all of these years working alongside him creating the star-crossed beloved story of Nikki and Victor’s romance.
Thomas Scott responded by saying, “I ‘m not going to lie and say that being his costar is easy, because it ain’t. But it’s so worth it. And, hey, I can be pretty ornery, too. After working with the guy for 34 years, I know how to handle him. (Laughs) And, the best part is, he doesn’t even know he’s being handled!
So soapers, what do you think of the magic of Nikki and Victor? Are they still the ultimate Y&R couple to root for against all odds?
Nikki/Victor and Sharon/Nick. BEST Y&R COUPLES EVER!
Sharon and Adam are the next big long term super power couple 🙂
Sharon and Adam now are the new and improved Nikki and Victor without the toxic
I loved Victor with Ashley and loved him with Sabrina. Nikki has always been a bore to me.But dud however loved her married to Deacon minus the drunken part
YUP Sharon and Adam sure are the shows super couple. They need this to be true that Dylan is Sharons brother also. bring back her bff Drucilla would rocket this show into daytime record ratings 🙂
They kinda still are…but now Adam and Sharon are right up there with them!
I am loving Sharon and Adam together now. They need a romantic huge wedding. Now maybe since Adam took the bullet the Newmans will be nice to Sharon and Adam
WOW!!
”Nikki’s full name which included all of her former hubby’s to date … Nikki Reed Foster Bancroft DiSalvo Newman Abbott Landers Newman Newman Chow Sharpe Abbott Newman!”
It’s ridiculousness to have a woman go through the ‘tragedies’ of 13 marriages.. lol
Y&R is always in the business of tragic marriages and it rarely has new characters so they marry one character off 13 times, now that is poor poor poor intimation for writers It seem that soap is far from being anything ”young and restless’ it’s stale tragic marriages LOL .
But, I watch it anyways 🙂
Actually, Reed is her maiden name, so that makes it only twelve marriages- if that helps.
A true acting team
It was and still is one of the best love stories on the soaps. I just hope this time they will leave the couple alone- like they did with Tom and Alice Horton on Days. It is possible to be happily married and interesting at the same time- so fingers cross this will be the last marriage for both of them-
Marriages never ever last on a soap.. It must be a rule or something to have no marriages last..
However; now, in ‘this’ Niki and Victor marriage, because of their age, it will be their last..
Mike and Nancy had a happy long marriage on Edge of Night. He married her 2 years after the death of his first wife Sara and she had a good relationship with her stepdaughter Lauri Anne. They were married in the early 1960s and stayed together til the show was canceled until the early 1980s. So there a few marriage that did last but it would be a rarity to happen anymore!
I agree, let them stay married now, people think if they stay married it becomes boring, but they can have drama in their lives without having to get divorced..
Adam shouldnt have anything to do with the Newmans no matter what. It shouldnt always take a tragedy to make someone accept you.
Jim, about your Edge of Night comment above- when I was watching that show I was a preteen, so my memory may be fuzzy here, but didn’t the actress who played Nancy leave the show once, and the character died in some kind of boating accident? Then a year or so later when Mike was starting to fall in love with someone else she came back. She was on some kind of island, had lost her memory, something like that. I remember I was watching with my mother when it was revealed Nancy was still alive, it was quite the vivid recollection- and bombshell because back them it was as common plot device as today. Just wondering if I am remembering it right?
Never mind- talked to my mother and she says it was some lady named Nicole and not Nancy – she’s 90 and she’s got a better memory than me.
I was never a Victor/Nikki fan. I always rooted for Victor when he was single or married to someone else..anyone other than Nikki who I thought sucked the life out of him. Imo, Hope and Ashley were his best pairings. Both women made him more gentle and human. Nikki just always acted like needy clingy jealous wife. Nothing I found attractive in a woman.
As for Nikki my favorite was when she was married to Jack the first time struggling with her addiction after falling off the horse.
I am liking Nikki and Victor more recently. I would like to see her keep her addiction at bay and have Victor become kinder and gentler in helping Nikki with her illness and overseeing his family. I think Nikki and Victor are better when they concentrate on others together. At this point in their lives I would hope the huge horrible problems would settle down. I would like to see more of Victor and Adam and the eventual breakdown in their war and a better appreciation for the child most like himself. It woould be great to see all the Newmans work together against a corporate foe!
I agree with Mary above ..It was and still is one of the best love stories on the soaps. I just hope this time they will leave the couple alone, Mel and Eris’s chemistry is amazing! Love them together especially now that they have this big family to take care of….
I don’t like Adam and Sharon together…she cheated on him with a Vet for no reason. Adam’s character does not have the personality trait to forgive that type of betrayal..
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m more in love with Victor and Niiki then I am with Tad and Dixie, I’m a 32 year fan of AMC and just a year and a half with Y&R.. You can tell they care about each other in real life and it shows on screen, they have amazing chemistry, I can never get enough of them..
Well, Eric Braeden is my favorite star on Y&R, Period! And for years I loved the Victor Nikki love story. However one of my very favorite storylines was the Victor and Sabrina love affair. In my opinion that was cut way too soon. They were so elegant and glamorous together, a truly Beautiful couple. There was so much chemistry between them, and I was very sad when that beautiful storyline came to a sudden end. I like Melody Thomas Scott very much, but wish that Ashligh and Victor would have gone back together. It does not matter, EB is why I watch the show! Great actor!
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.
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