News
Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott on Nikki/Jack pairing, Sony contract talks & her new web series!

Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
It has been quite clear that since the return of Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) to the number one soap, The Young and the Restless, that fans have been much happier seeing their favorite flawed heroine hitting the bottle, getting mixed up with Victor, and all the other ramifications of her return! (Although everyone was over the “Who Killed Diane?” story by now!)
Now in a new interview with TV Guide, Melody talks about the future of the Victor/Nikki pairing, which if you follow what is about to go down may not be happening anytime soon, but who knows with these two, right? In addition, the star opens up about her Sony contract talks that kept her from returning to the series for several months, the Daytime Emmys, a reigniting of the Nikki/Jack romance and an exciting new web series, which she is a part of! Here are a few excerpts!
Melody on post-Valentine Day with Victor drama: “As we know, it’s never really over for Victor and Nikki but it’s my guess she’ll get hooked up with Jack Abbott [Peter Bergman] again and they’ll probably marry. She’s visiting him in the hospital every day and being a really good friend. [Laughs] We all know where that leads! When Peter and I first saw those scripts we could read between the lines. But it’s just my speculation.”
Melody on if her Sony contract talks prove that anyone is dispensable on Y&R and if her negotiations were meant as a scare tactic to her cast mates: “I don’t know. It all could have been done intentionally to make other people afraid. Maybe it should shake up a lot of people. There were very few actors who had wonderful things to say to me when I returned. Whatever. Anything is possible. Anyone can get canned in the future and the reasons for that are never revealed, as we know. The one thing I will say is that we have too many people on the show.”
Melody on the upcoming web series called Laid Off, in which she will appear: “It’s about three guys who are roommates in New York and they all lose their jobs the same week. Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels are also in it. One of the roommates has watched and worshipped Nikki his entire life — he started at his mother’s knee — and he has constant fantasies about me. But I’m never really me. I get to play a different character in every episode, all urged on by his obsession with me. I pop up as the plumber, and a pageant mom screaming at her kid and a Martha Stewart-type cooking host. I could be a nun. Anything in the world. It’s really cool.”
So soapers, what do you think about a renewed Nikki/Jack pairing? Would you be for it? Do you think Nikki should stay with Victor? Post your thoughts!
Beyond the Gates
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up

Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.
However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).
From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).
In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.
So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?
Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
-

As The World Turns2 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-

Breaking News4 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
-

Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
-

General Hospital4 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
-

Beyond the Gates2 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-

General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
-

General Hospital6 days agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
-

General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Lisa LoCicero Pays Tribute to Her ‘Loving’ Leading Man Randolph Mantooth














Love her glad she is back.
Glad she’s back more than anything I want Nikki off Victors orbit Jack let’s her be her an individual Victor needs a strong women like Genie she can say NO and can fight tooth and nail 2 fight for wat she wants
Maybe it is me but I had heard their is extreme tension on the set and one veteran made a remark about her being a Diva etc. Just could be gossip! I am glad the character is back and I think we need to give her and Victor a rest and pair her with someone else like Jack keep the rivalry going.
It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall behind the scenes. I can see how MTS could come off as a diva as she plays one.
On the other hand, she is amazing on Twitter. I have been lurking for a while and she follows just about anyone who requests that of her. Plus, she interacts with many of her fans. She devotes blocks of time to it. Also she is quite friendly with a bunch of the women fans who assisted in getting her back to Y&R. She seems pretty down-to-Earth.
I don’t know who the “veteran” was, but there are two sides. I hope it’s not true.
I always thought Jack (in the personage of Peter Bergman) and Nikki were better suited than Victor and Nikki. To be honest, I am tired of the years of on and off between the two and I never bought they are the love story for the ages. At this stage of the game, the Newmans should be done with the shenanigans and face turmoil together. Lately stories have Victor insufferable and Nikki immature. When Jack and Nikki were last together, it was good. And why would Nikki take back a man who regards marriage so poorly and wed his sons’ former wife? Ewwwww!
Wow! I know she mentioned the morale was poor as far as the Christmas party showing, but “very few actors had wonderful things to say” upon her returning. That’s really sad. I hope they can fix this problem and trim the fat with some of the unnecessary talent there.
I, for one, am ecstatic that she AND Nikki Newman are back. I know Victor and Nikki are the end game, but as long as this show continues, she can be paired with Jack or anybody else. I mean you know that even if she was to be with Victor right now, they would only get to be happy for a second.
“The one thing I will say is that we have too many people on the show.”
Is she right or is she right? Ha!
I love Y&R, but I’m sick of the same ole people hooking up. I’d rather see the show bring in new actors for the regulars and have new relationships. I liked Emily with Jack and I like Genevieve. I am SICK of the whole crazy Patty thing. Kick her to the pych ward and let’s move on. No, I don’t want Nikki and Jack together. Give Nikki a new relationship with a strong man that can compete with Victor.
Something is up with this show. I saw an interview with her at the Daytime Emmys (during the period when Nikki was missing from the show). Thomas seemed irked with the producers. Frankly, I’m surprised that she may have signed another contract. She follows it up with comments such as “few actors … had wonderful things to say to me when I returned.”
Several weeks ago, I saw Corbin Bernsen’s tweet, saying that he was returning for a few days on the show but also implying that the set was not a pleasant place.
Between the generally poor writing and unwise casting choices over the past few years, coupled with these types of comments, I’m thinking that bad decisions are going to drive this show into the grave. It really is sad.
I used to LOVE Y&R, now not so much, but I watch. There are toomany people and they are the same. The near incest is too much and I am tired of the reliance of quickie marriages and silly and underwhelming stories (Cane’s twin? the endless Patty craziness? the Diane Jenkins murder? the I Married Victor Newman paradeof brides? Anything Adam? Hello!). Bring on a blizzard or tornado or — the recssion! — and send some of these people packing. Bring in a solid strong new core family that is not already related to anyone and let some new alliances, new corporate stories (we can follow), and unlikely alliances begin.
I agree but to get all of that MAB and crew are going to have to exit . And because she is Bill Bell’s daughter in law it won’t happen. I do not know why the actors take up for her well I do they want to keep their job. Yet MTS blames Sony go figure!
I know what you mean. And it seems right now the ONLY couple that is happy is Michael and Lauren, although I heard there are plans to test him with Avery … good grief! There are no happy couples anymore.
I’m sure Sony just wanted to cut some of the fat, so to speak, to help with the budget. I have grown tired of Maria Arena Bell myself.
I love her. She’s an awesome actress but I want Victor and Nikki together. They are the definition of soap supercouple
I missed Melody during 2011 and have celebrated her return. But you can register me as NOT being pleased with the storylines AT ALL and yes , there really are too many characters on the show!
I’m sooo discouraged with the way soaps are “going” these days, that yes, I even envision our beloved Y&R headed for “trouble’ if the writing doesn’t improve.
I admire the actors, but wonder (quite often) how they face a day in the studio working with the bizarre scripts they’re given. –Hats off to them. What troopers.
I don;t think it’s any secret that actors and crew are unhappy at Y&R and there’s one reason for that unhappiness: Maria Arena Bell.
MTS is right, as of right now, she’s someone who could be thrown around by MAB right now. And there are too many people on the show. I see Y&R steadily losing its star if MAB continues at the helm.
Jenna I was scratching my head on this one not going to mention the blog by name I know she is friends with Sharon Case, Joshua Morrow, Eric Braeden, Ameila H? so I do not know but I think you always have clicks just like any job and I would think the people you are in storyline are sometimes the ones you get close with. The only real fight I remember was between Eric Braeden & Peter Bergman it got physical back in the 90’s Bill Bell told them to knock it off and patch up their differences or they were both gone.
It’s funny how things like Twitter give you a little insight. I mean the “following” list alone speaks volumes.
I have also heard of fights between Michelle Stafford and Victoria Rowell. Then I hear things about how Billy Miller can’t stand Amelia Heinle.
I don’t believe everything I hear or read. Some things are obvious. I guess as much as SOME fans cannot separate the actor from the role they play, some actors have a hard time separating their character from their real life. Then again, some actors and the characters they play seem to be identical.
I’m glad Braeden and Bergman knocked it off. Y&R would be a lonely place without their larger-than-life alter egos.
I will also add I don’t think Y&R helped anything by adding big names with large salaries I think the veterans resent that more then anything and that is who MTS was talking about ! All I have to say on this subject!
Yeah, who would blame them?
What will it take to axe Maria A. Bell?! She is
THE reason Y&R is suffering! I am SO
glad they finally got rid of Angelo & Angie,
but they need to also dump Chelsea, Anita,
Sophia, Daisy, Genevieve, Sarge, Ricky,
Harmony, Carmine, Avery, etc… Dead
wood, ALL!!! I want Nikki/Victor, but he
needs to be softened in the writing of his
character. And I love Sharon & Adam
together. With him, she’s strong &
independent, with her, he’s kind &
gentle. I hate that MAB makes his ALL evil–
no-one is all evil, not even Adam… And I
love Nick/Phyllis together, & Michael/Lauren,
& Kevin/Chloe, but they need to axe Eden!
(along with the 12 mentioned above)… But
the main one who needs to go is MAB!! If her
husband, Brad Bell, cares about his parents’
creation, he will get her to leave, the sooner
the better!! 🙂 I think I hate her most of all!