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Y&R's Michelle Stafford reaction on her Daytime Emmy Nomination!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
One of daytime’s most powerful actresses, and already a two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, picked up another nomination this past Wednesday for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. We can only be talking about Y&R’s Michelle Stafford (Phyllis). On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Michelle on Emmy nomination day to get her thoughts on her competition, the meaning of the recognition by her peers, and what she submitted that got her into the final five. Here is what Michelle had to say!
Michelle on how she found out she was nominated, and what it means to be a nominee: “Our head writer, Maria Bell called me at 5:50am. And, I did know the nominations were coming out today. In the past, every year that I submit myself, I try not to know when the nominations are coming out, because I don’t want to be stuck to it. Every year I do that somebody the night before usually tells me, “Hey, tomorrow the nominations are coming out.” And then I go, “Oh, God! OK, great. Now I know.” So this year I was like, “I am going to find out when they are being announced ahead of time (Laughs), and this year, nobody the day before even talked about the nominations which I thought was totally hilarious! It’s so great to be recognized. I don’t know anyone who takes getting a nomination lightly. You should be out, if you are going to be so jaded and take it lightly. But if you are going to play, then you are going to play to win, and you don’t always win, but you are going in to play the game.”
Michelle on what episode she submitted that got her the Lead Actress nomination: “The show I submitted was Phyllis is trying to hold on to her marriage, and hold on to her life, and she knows she is going down. She finds out that her husband’s ex- wife is pregnant possibly with his child. And it just keeps getting worse and worse, and she knows she is losing. There is something about the reel that I liked, and that is that Phyllis just kept on coming back. She is trying to make it work, and then Nick says something to piss her off. There is desperation about it that I thought was interesting. I guess some others did, too (Laughs).”
Michelle on her fellow nominees in her category: Crystal Chappell, Maura West, Bobbie Eakes and Sarah Brown! “Well, I texted Crystal, I texted Maura, I tweeted Sarah Brown, and I face booked Bobbie. So, thank God for new communications. It’s a great group every year, and there is never a bad one in the bunch. However, it seems like every year I am nominated, I am nominated with Maura and Crystal! (Laughs)
Michelle on being nominated with the Y&R collective acting group of Peter Bergman, Doug Davidson, and Billy Miller – all of whom On-Air On-Soaps said to Michelle were “her buds” : “Well not Billy! Let’s not go that far.” (Laughs)
Michelle on how she celebrated the news: “Well, every year Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and I, whether one of us is nominated or both of us are nominated, we get together to celebrate ourselves. So, last year I went with him to celebrate him, and this year he went with me today to celebrate me.”
Michelle on the storyline this past year with Sharon/Nick/Phyllis that earned her a nomination: “The one thing I will say is: last year I worked really hard on this storyline. It was sort of written for me to be a shrew at times, for Phyllis to be the bad one. I had to bring a human quality to it because it was so shocking to her what was happening. You write these triangles and somebody has to be wrong. In the scripts I received, many times, if I played it screaming at Nick in his face, who is going to understand that? As a storyteller, I had to view it as that I am telling a story of this woman’s condition right now. The story I wanted to tell was how this woman was feeling. It was hard from October through May. I was crying and tormented over the dissolution of my marriage, and that is a long time to play that. And, as I was going through the episodes to choose for the Emmy competition, I saw that actually, Nick ended his marriage to Phyllis six times! There were six break-up scenes! Even Maria when they were looking through episodes said, “Oh, my God. I didn’t even realize…we shouldn’t do that anymore.” (Laughs) I worked hard to mold and create empathy for what this woman is feeling and that was fun.”
Make sure to read many Emmy nominee exclusive reactions on our special Daytime Emmy Nominations page !
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.
‘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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Congratuations to all the Y& R nominees but, Michael did you for get that Christel Khalil was also a Y&R emmy nominee?
Hey Anny: Not at all. I Know Christel is up. The reason I did not bring her name up during the interview with Michelle was Christel does not have hardly any scenes with Michelle on the show. There stories do not mix. So therefore she is not one of the people she performs with often. It was meant as no slight to Christel. Hope this makes sense.
It’s cool. Now I understand.
Stafford turned crappy Shick-based material into gold.
Best of luck, Michelle!
Congratulations Michelle,
You really really are a remarkable actress and such a lovely person, and that’s why you are my favourite soap actress EVER!! No other actress has ever made me feel every single emotion onscreen like you have. Trust me on this one, I was in as much agony watching Phyllis being dragged through the mud for almost an entire year…many times I felt like I wanted to jump into the TV, get a crappy old car (because Phyllis doesn’t do that anymore LOL) and drive over Nick and Sharon 100 times until you couldn’t tell the asphalt from their selfish bodies.
I never ever pay attention to who gets nominated or even watch the Emmys but I wanted you to get nominated this year, you were outstanding and had so many great scenes. I am still not going to watch the Emmys but I will be praying for you to win this year so that your little Mini-Staffy can get her first Emmy too 🙂
Best Wishes.
I was surprised that Stacy Haiduk was not nominated. Playing two characters (Patty & Emily) at the same time is not an easy task. Stacy has done some really difficult scenes, portraying a mentally ill person, etc. Michelle is a good actress, but nothing comparable to Stacy’s performances this past year. In my opinion, Stacy should have been the nominee, which she well deserved.
Christel Khalil’s nomination is a real mystery. I see no exceptional talent with her or the character she portrays. In my opinion, she is quite boring.
I know I will be watching as my favourite actress is up for the Emmy. Congratulations to Michelle for her excellent work in a year when so much of the material was not written from her character’s point of view. Thank your for highlighting the vulnerbility and the grace of Phyllis on a daily basis.
He left Phyllis 6 times? Wow! That’s much. Time for him to fight for her