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!
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News6 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
-
News5 days agoErika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
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!