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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.”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

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!

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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.

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

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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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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?

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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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