News
Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott On Soaps Loyal Audience: "People like Meryl Streep Or The Biggest Stars In The World – They Don’t Enjoy The Fans We Have.”

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Leave it to Y&R stalwart Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) to talk about her appreciation, and that of her colleagues for the dedicated soap fans in a new piece in the Washington Post from journalist Lonnae O’Neal. The writers also cops to being a soap addict herself, like so many of us throughout our lives.
While detailing how she would watch soaps growing up and with her mother, and how daytime dramas have been multi-generational, O’Neal discusses General Hospital’s Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) and Tony Geary’s major end of an era on-screen departure from the ABC soap opera this week. However, the columnist reveals her favorite soap opera since college has been The Young and the Restless!
Lonnae spoke to Melody Thomas Scott about how soap operas have helped her through the birth of her babies, divorce, and making some of her hardest work less lonely. Scott replied: “People feel like we’re their dearest friends or their closest cousins. People like Meryl Streep or the biggest stars in the world — they don’t enjoy the fans we have.” Ain’t that the truth, Mel!
What do you think about Melody’s comment that soap fans are the most loyal and dedicated in the entertainment genre? Have soap operas helped you through some of the toughest times in your life? Share your comments below!
Amen melody !!!! We luv u n r so very proud of u n other actors on y&r as well as gh !!!! Team Mel !!!
she’s right and the soap stars are the best stars!
I agree and have always been a champion of daytime actors and actresses and the special bond we have with them throughout our lives and theirs.
When you invite the same set of individuals, such as the residents of Genoa City, into your home five days of the week for 40+ years, they earn a special place in your heart. They become like family. It’s a very special relationship we have with those actors and their characters.
been watching soaps 49 years, they are the best ACTOR’S in the business
That was good artical..
We do become addicted..
All that was written is so true and yet the networks will not hesitate to make y’all soap homeless and cancel the soaps without one pang or an apology. As a matter of fact they wouldn’t even recognize the fans in any manner at all (shown to be factually true with every canceled soap) They pull the plug without a word of sorry for your loss..
SOAP STARS—ALL OF THEM—ARE BETTER RIGHT NOW THAN ANYTHING NIGHT TIME TV HAS TO OFFER!!!
Just love the acting and storylines you have brought into my life for years. I love you with Victor and I would not want it any other way. Seasoned veterans like yourself are the best in the acting world.
I thought about this not long ago and have over the years but she is right, soap fans are the best fans you could ever have. Even fans of boy bands eventually move on. But soap fans remember EVERYTHING and are very passionate to say the least! lol
My husband is a sports addict and he is always talking about what’s going on behind the scenes. I always tell him it’s exactly the same with soap fans. We listen to find out what actor is moving from one soap to another and who is dropping off contract. Too bad they don’t have 1000 soap radio shows like theu do about sports! We’re a pretty loyal bunch!
With all the talk of Luke and Laura and the (sad) end of an era, I will always remember Victor and Nikki as THE power couple because their love lives on in infamy in the 80s movie, MR. MOM.
I never grow tired of this movie and absolutely love when Michael Keaton’s “Jack” becomes a stay-at-home dad and asks how people actually “watch this stuff” only to become addicted to it himself.
Aside from the crappy storytelling on Y&R lately, it still remains my favorite soap. Sadly most days are watched out of habit instead of intrigue, although today with Harding actually siding with Kevin and Michael and Lauren about to find their way back to one another, I have renewed hope.
Agreed. As far fetched as the Jack/Marco/Victor storyline has been, I’ve loved that they have put EB and PB on my tv everyday. Hilary/Devon, Sharon/Dillon are soooooo boring.
I agree, Ashleigh.
It is nice that they gave Sharon a man … again, but she has the best chemistry with Nick … unfortunately. Sage and Nick are boring. Hilary and Devon are boring (liked him better with Roxie). Somehow Melissa Claire Egan always seems to be able to work with the lack of talent she is paired with (Burgess Jenkins), but she has potential with Hartley.
What happened to that cute girl, Gwen? She would be good for Neil albeit a bit young.
And if we could just get the Baldwins to be on more, especially Gloria. Judith Chapman can act circles around the likes of the actors playing Summer, Abby, Kyle, to name a few. 🙁
Oh great comment, Chrystie!
And while I know many hate Victor Newman, he is still the man you love to hate.
Victor behaves abhorrently time and time again, and yet his explanations for that insane behavior is all logical and rational.
The other person to whom he explains it to usually nods and says,”Oh yeah, Victor, that makes perfect sense. You kidnapped Jack, imprisoned him with Krazy and then replaced him with a psycho killer for the good of the family. Yep! Makes perfect sense to me.”
Victor really amuses the hell out of me.
Haha Harry, how about Victor telling Jack all the reasons not to come clean!? I was sitting there thinking “Wow! SO Victor and probably the only way he could make this work in his favor! Kudos, writers!!” Hahaha.
completely agree. daytime soaps have the most passionate fans. some people take their fans for granite,but not the actors of daytime. Y&R is my favorite soap,I grew up watching it. Daytime soaps feel like family,because you let them into your home everyday
robert I have to agree..and with all their loyal following a lot of Daytime actors will take the time to respond to a tweet or message that hits them and interact with a lot of their followers on a regular basis..and are quicker to graciously follow fans that hold similar opinions of there’s too..and then there are those who just want the adoration and fanbase following..lol
So very true, but I think soap stars are loyal to there fan’s also, they are reachable, they tweet you back when you tweet them, they talk to you, not in a I’m a big star sort of way, but a down to earth I’m just like you and I appreciate the fact that you took the time to say something to me. I love Melody, just did a sketch of her with the shorter hair and was amazed to see her sporting the same do on the show 2 weeks later.. Love you Mel.
I tweet the sketch to her, hope she saw it, I did it with love and appreciation of her wonderful work on Y&R
I have been going to Soap events the past few years and I definitely agree. The stars of the soaps do not act like they are STARS, they are personable and eager to talk with their fans. If you want proof just go to the Daytime Stars and Strikes event n NYC daytimestarsandstrikes.com . It is so cool just to talk like an acquaintance to actors you see on TV. Have met Gina Tognoni there several times and it is just cool to talk about other events and feel like your are not just a fan. I don’t think many famous people from other mediums do the same.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
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