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Y&R's New EP Mal Young On Soap Audience: "We've Got To Give Them What Surprises Them And Thrills Them"
Photo: MalYoungTwitter
The new Genoa City Sheriff is in town, and it’s a gent from across the pond. British soap opera and TV producer, Mal Young is the latest executive producer of CBS’ The Young and the Restless.
Young, who was in charge of continuing drama series programming at the BBC and oversaw such shows as Brookside, EastEnders, The Doctors, Casualty and Holby City, brings a new fresh perspective to the Sony and CBS series. Now in his first get-to-know interview with Soap Opera Digest (in this week’s issue on newsstands now), Young discusses how British soaps are different, yet similar in their perception and storytellings, plus his hopes for the talented A-list cast, production, and writing teams, under his wing at Y&R.
When chatting on how much Mal appreciates a loyal and passionate TV audience, and in particular the daytime soap fans who always chime in on the the progress of their favorite characters and storylines, he expressed: “If they weren’t vocal, I would worry, because their opinions count. I love that. I encourage that, but then you have to surprise them. You can’t just keep saying, ‘Let’s give them what they want. ‘ We’ve got to give them what surprises them and thrills them.”
So, are you intrigued to see how Mal Young shapes The Young and the Restless? Do you agree with his philosophy, isn’t it more fun to be surprised by a story twist? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
I hope he can work out the kinks , the first one would be get rid of pratt
YES YES YES!!!
Y & R needs a new writing team!!
Pratt needs to go. all the storylines are bad
Absolutely, Bart. A writing team whose storylines are REAL and make sense. It is beyond incredible and realistic for any one body, including Victor Newman to play with justice and bend the law ‘ everywhichway ‘ he wants.
I understand there are crooked judges, lawmen etc., but no one on earth can get away with so much manipulation of the law….for decades. ‘Gimme’ a break!!
Totally agree.
Can he be made the EP of GH too?
and Days!!!
Of course, surprising twists are high in demand. A soap is an entity on its own. Romance, mystery, mystique, villainy, love, war, conflict etc…..all attributes which make good storytelling. It is a process and I can definitely appreciate how difficult it is to create new, attention-getting stories on almost a monthly basis.
However, when the same story is recycled for the umpteenth time; fans become bored and disinterested. No one wants to watch a show when he/she already knows the outcome.
The best example for that is Victor. Same story over and over.
The problem is; the ‘ragu’ has been simmering for too long. It loses its appeal when eaten every day.
The same story is being told with just about every character.
I can handle the incredible; but make it less fantastical and a little more real with originality.
Y&R needs new story twists. one major problem Y&R has had is recycling the same lazy storylines. baby switches,dopplegangers,car accidents are lazy
Celia, once again, you’ve put your finger on exactly what’s wrong with our beloved show. Too much repetition, especially regarding the same characters. STOP throwing Adam in jail (or threatening to), STOP making Sharon go off her medication and playing baby pong, STOP giving Victor the upper hand over EVERYONE, especially Jack, and STOP making core characters (Billy, Phyllis, Sharon, Neil) beyond redemption. Oh, and bring back Daniel, Avery, Fenmore, Lesley, full-time Jill, and a reformed Joe Clark.
These characters, Soaphound, need to be smaked upside the head, a few rounds.
I don’t know how much more I can take of Phyllis playing tug-‘o-war with Billy, the drooling lover, and Jack the enthusiastic pleaser. Sooooo not Jack!!!!!
I have been FF-ing many of the Billy-Phyllis scenes. They’re killing my sensibilities and making my stomach heave.
Correction: Smacked….
Reading his other interviews and who he deems worthy, I have no hope for this show…I did, but that has quickly changed…
I missed the last interviews. Please tell me Summer is not one of his worthy! I’ve cut down to twice a week and only tune into the last 30 minutes.
What did he say in his other interviews?
I have no idea but if he is really listening to the fans that alone would be a first.
Well, from the picture above it looks like we will be seeing plenty of Chelsea! UGG! Adam needs to dumb that nag! But anyway, I like how Mal thinks, listen to the fans but throw them a curve ball, as well. I down with that! I hope he cleans out the attic and this is what he needs to throw away immediately!
Stitch and his psycho son!
The Winters clan. Have Chucky whip up one of his famous sweeps disasters and have them all die!
Travis. Cannot act and him and Vicki have no chemistry!
Luca. One of the worst characters since Daisy and Ryder!
Summer because she ruins mine when she is on the screen!
Good luck Mal!
BWAHAHA SUMMER. .very funny
I agree eith everything you suggest ( and the people who put a knot in my stomach ), Timmmy.
Add Gina and Jason to that.
I hope Mal will wow us with original stories.
Funny how both Luca and Marissa lost their accents in a matter of days. At least she looks authentic!! I know I have said this a million times (pardon the hyperbole), but I also wish Mal will not present us with another facsimile of a supposed Spaniard with an Italian name, whose dark looks and ethnic festures do not resemble an Italian or a Spaniard. More of a mestizo. And, that’s fine and well, if he were represented as such.
I, for one do not want to be taken for granted…all of us know the difference between an authentic European and a mestizo. Do not bruise our intelligence or knowledge.
I know Cee, I never thought Jason Thompson’s Billy would turn out like this. He is a great actor and wonderful with kids. I dont blame him for trying something different but this Billy Abbott is horrible. Burgess Jenkins, what are you doing? No, just kidding BUT, they need to rethink this. I doubt Mal can do anything because of the contract of Jason’s? I dont know, I was wrong, I thought Jason would work. Be more of a Foster than an Abbott? No, it doesnt matter! And your beef with KOOKA, I agree. AND, I dont like this new dude Travis either!
@Timmm.
Yes, Timmmy….when you’re right, you’re right. Each Adam brought his best to the show….a personal ‘air’.
Actually I was wondering if you noticed Sharon vacuuming, doing housecleaning in stilettos. Really?
OMG Cee! Yes, when Sharon was cleaning her house I thought of two things. One, you cannot say that these “People” NEVER clean their houses again on soaps! And two, she ran that sweeper like she just snorted all the coke from the movie “Scarface!” THEN she specifically points out to Mariah that she cleaned the bookend but put it way over HERE! I am loving Sharon, Mariah and Kevin in this story together.
PS.
Why must Chelsea constantly make Adam’s mind up for him? Can’t he think for himself? A young harridan…..Chelsea is as annoying as a hangnail.
Adam never gets a chance to have his own thoughts anymore. Chelsea jumps
on him too immediately with her own take on everything! Super annoying!
Celia…E-X-A-C-T-L-Y!!!!! And I thought that Chelsea’s mom Anita was ‘the pushy one’…LOL!!!!!
Have a good one, my friend.
Adam is being watered down with Chelsea. Chadam needs to break up. i hate how Chelsea has become Adam’s mom
@robert.
Wouldn’t it be interesting, robert, if Chelsea and Adam did break up, so to make room for Adam and Bethany?
Chrishell is Justin’s real-life girlfriend.
MM’s Adam was more sadistic BUT all the Adams were confident. Justin’s Adam is smoking hot but a wimp! Chelsea were the Armani’s in THAT house! She just hovers in on EVERYTHING he does! ANY guy would feel overwhelmed and want OUT!
@Nanci.
Hey, there, Nancy,
Chelsea has turned into a virago. Now she’s pushing Adam to stomp on his pride and integrity by accepting Victor’s seemingly clean ‘blackmail’. Adam’s arm is being twisted this way and that.
Personally, I think Adam did the right thing. How to extricate himself from this imbroglio? From Victor’s twisted and diabolical brain? But, Adam will capitulate to his wife and bend to his father’s will. It is what it is…A SOAP… LOL!!
Yet, Victor is such a cad. And he is a wh**e. He pimped himself ….the prison doctor, no less. I have never had much liking for Victor. Now, I have lost all respect….what little I had.
Does Nikki know her husband cheated on her?
Now, I understand where the writers were going with this. Victor methodically set Adam up because he wants his son at the helm? Victoria is too emotionally overwrought? What does this say about how Victor REALLY feels about women? Bah!!!!
Victor is not human….all these powers he has!!! WOW!!
@jaybird369.
Yeah, haven’t seen ‘Daisy Duke’ in a while, lol. Between her and Chelsea, they could run GC.
Today, Adam asked his wife what gives her the ability; this talent of turning a negative into a positive.
Well, that’s easy, jay. Chelsea ‘knows’ the world through the eyes of a guttersnipe. She is a seasoned manipulator.
Assumption based on a single picture?
Its a start! Plus, she has already had her face on Y&R almost every day! UGGG!
Totally agree with you. Although Luca has grown on me and Travis has potential. The Winters Clan, Chelsea, and Summer all need to go.
I hope he brings the pace of the British shows. Shows like Red Rock, Hollyoaks, etc. are a thousand times better written, acted and produced. Even just changing the lighting to match those shows would be a big improvement. Not every room needs to look like it was lit by a solar flare.
MB, thats funny, solar flare! I remember how dark all the scenes use to be and I wanted a burst of sunshine BUT you are right, it is too bright! Adam’s condo looks like the fine china floor in a department store! AND, please turn out the lights when Summer, Luca and Travis are on the screen!
Personally, I rather have good old fashion story telling over surprises and thrills. When I hear the words surprises and thrills, I hear more of the same stunt story telling that is solely plot driven is coming down the pike. This is Y&R not Star Wars. When I read what he says, I hear– let’s not give them what they want, but what I think they should want—- and that my friends is never a good thing.
I agree Mary SF like the story where Ashley was held hostage and the door was rigged with a shotgun. .I wad on the edge of my seat. .or the shock of not expecting Jill to get shot in the shower. .or those great mountain remotes when Brad was held captive in the cabin. .not expecting Vanessa to jump off the balcony of a high rise because her hatred for Laurie was so strong. .once you got over the shock you busted out laughing. .OH LAURIE. .she got you but good lol
I’ll just say it once: Bell and Alden sustained great stories over 2 or 3 year arches, building the saga with twists and turns, rarely losing viewers because the story “dragged on.” They continually developed plot and subplot with purpose and meaning, and many times providing educational information in creative ways. Hope the idea with the new EP is to bring surprises along but not at the Irwin Allen time-warp speed. Bell and Alden told a story with great details; current storylines always give viewers information that happened “off-screen”– how ridiculous is that for a medium that is ON SCREEN.
100 percent agree!
Ron…AGREED, dude!!!!! What I respected and admired about William J. Bell and Kay Alden was that they PAID ATTENTION to W-H-A-T they were doing…and…they knew W-H-A-T they were doing…EVERY MINUTE!!!!!!!!!! Yes.
Have a good one, Ron.
I know some claim there were “odd, unbelievable plots” in the course of the program’s history, they were still told in captivating and realistic ways! I PERSONALLY saw how Bill planned a story decades ago when he lived in Chicago. And Kay worked at a desk on the opposite side of the room in Bill’s lakefront highrise. And you are right: they paid very close attention to every detail!
Onward, my friend.
How well you tell it, Ron….best concisely and perfectly phrased overview on this board.
I’ve been watching Y&R since I was a tot with my Gran……obviously, not understanding much. As I grew older I began ‘forming’ a few concepts. But, Ron, it wasn’t until I was 14 (in boarding school, lol) that I really started getting into the drama and loving it!!!
The first most vivid memory for me, at that age, was when Mac and Billy (Ashley Bashioum and David Tom) were crowned king and Queen at the Junior Prom….It was the first step to young romance between the two.
I don’t know if It was due to my impressionable young age and starry-eyed perception on love, but, the stories were chock-full of/with intricate drama, suspense and meaningful ROMANCE…….something for which we awaited and anticipated with bated breath until the next episode. “Bell and Alden told a story with great details…..” . To quote you, Ron: EXACTLY!!!!!
I remember that story frame! What a great memory for you, Celia. I first watched the show when I was in grade school. I was home ill for a few days and lay on the sofa as my mom watched her list of soaps! I remember telling her that I liked Restless because the characters were young and the music was nice; it was something I never experienced in tv. I shared that memory with Bill Bell, later when I was in college. I also thought (and still do) that Lori Brookes was the best character he created; too bad it didn’t last. I keep hoping, that as the show continues to reach milestones and anniversaries, that the writers will bring back more “guest appearances” from the original cast that are still around!
Take care, Ron
I think he will be the show’s best medicine ever. I do hope he brings in a new head writing team. Fortunately, because he’s not from the same recycle center that is the American soap opera world, he likely could bring in super new fresh talent we’ve never experienced. THIS IS A GOOOOOOOOOD THING!
One can only hope that by replacing Phelps’ singular vision of poaching her own Rolodex that this show can rebound. But installing Young was only half the solution; (agreeing with chuck) they need to replace Pratt’s brash, in-your-face, shock-n-awe storytelling with a more balanced, nuanced scribe that appreciates longtime viewer loyalty and one that respects veteran character backstory. (Pratt has proven time-and-again, both on #YR and his past defunct shows (#GH, #SantaBarbara, #AMC, #SunsetBeach and #Titans) that he doesn’t much care for characters and is more concerned with making a name for himself at the expense of the legacy of show that came before him.) He might be better suited to primetime or features, but he is clueless when it comes to writing for the specific tastes of daytime audiences (…and the eroding ratings of #YR bear me out!)
Pratt’s style of storytelling works better in primetime. characters being changed for plot is killing the show,just look at their ratings. Y&R is losing young viewers in droves under his pen
All daytime shows are loosing demo viewers. It’s been a trend for years, nothing new. Or maybe part of the problem is that Nielsen audience measurement system fails to measure the viewership adequately? Or maybe TV is facing a big challenge in general – younger audience tends to online viewing and prefers it to TV.
i hope he can fix Y&R. the show has been very poor. his first order of business should be to fire Pratt. the show won’t improve until Y&R deals with the writing issues. i like what he said about the fans opinions counting. Phelps and Pratt have not listened to the fans at all,they were out of touch
I so agree!!! Pratt and his pathetic writing needs to GO!!!!
What surprises? These days you know what’s going to happen before it is even aired.
If TPTB don’t go back to the roots of Y&R and how it use to be, it will be a lost cause. I tried watching a few days ago…I could not handle it and I just turned it off. I like change but only if it’s for the good. The day that Kay Alden left as the writer that is when everything change. I have said it many times before, Y&R is no longer the same show and doesn’t even have the same feel. Even the actors/actress that have been on Y&R for years who I love and adore, their character’s are different and one can tell with the stories and acting aren’t like it use to be. As we all know, TPTB do not really listen to US, the fans that really care and have been watching for years. It’s like when Douglas Marland left The Guiding Light, GL was no longer the same. I BEG for TPTB to listen to us the fans…I am begging you now to bring back Y&R to it’s glory days…I am so tired of sounding like a broken record…OK, here it goes again, PLEASE bring back the classic background music that Y&R use to have…
I’m pretty sure they’re trying to listen to the fans. All regimes. All the time. Their job depends on that. But it’s very difficult. Viewers like and want different things, what is a favorite storyline for some viewers, might be the absolute worst for other viewers.
No social media channels are representative of general audience. Only representative research can show some real trends, which I’m not sure they are able to do. Ratings are their only more or less objective way to measure what works with the audience and what doesn’t but there are usually multiple storylines at the same time, so it’s not easy to identify the weakest parts that need fixing. There are also other factors that may influence ratings as well, eg. weather, season, pre-emptions.
Mr. Mal Young .
We need to talk.
Y&R desperately needs Altman and Passanate !!
I will arrange for Altman and Passanate’s return to you and Y&R.
I know you are thrilled over their return.
However; I do need you to meet with ABC/General Hospital to sign a few papers and thank them.
I am confident that Y&R under Altman and Passanate, once again, will greatly raise ratings and give the Y&R fans great exciting, intriguing, high drama, surprises, suspense and riveting storytelling. And the Y&R fans will be absolutely thrilled to have Altman and Passanate back!!
Mal, you can thank me later ..
Altman and Passanante are GH’s! Hands off 🙂 You all can keep Pratt. Just kidding. I’m sure Mal will bring in new blood.
Please take your sarcasm to another soap su0000. I want A&P gone from GH too but replacing Chuck Pratt on Y&R with the snooze sisters the sequel would drag the soap farther down than Pratt is currently doing. Mr. Young is new blood. Hopefully he’ll want the same in his chosen head writer or writers.
SARCASM? (I hope).
i am hoping he can fix the show
If he respects the show’s long, rich history, we’ll love him.
Celia has some very insightful comments.
I am not sure what “surprising twists” suppose. Take the Winters: More recently , from what I can remember, they were in a plane crash, father and son were both in love with the same woman, both married the same woman, woman fell off of a cliff as well as falling into a coma . Father saved her from dying but was afraid people would think he pushed her over the cliff. Father hides her in a boathouse due to his fear but finds an especially talented doctor who handles comas. Woman comes out of coma and starts blackmailing almost the entire town, coma symptoms have returned return.
Must have watched if I can write that much. However, I could not stand any of it. I mean truly, not stand it. Never did I see any comments that found pleasure in that storyline. Yet, it went on, on, and on. Hope that is not an example of “twists.”
It was not the actors; all are exemplary.
The point here is it is a plus to hear viewer thoughts will be reviewed. No one would ask that viewers direct stories, just acknowledge there are times when something is terribly amiss. Viewers love to be critics, but a cumulative feeling sometimes starts to evolve, and those in charge should know how to recognize that sense and adjust.
Lastly someone wrote of being age appropriate. Victor is a case in point. Some scenes with the woman doctor were disgusting. A May – December romance was not given a proper buildup, although given her background one can intuit writer’s intent. For me, one more “I did it for my family” starts the fast-forward. Please adjust who Victor is. He doesn’t have to become an angel, but now he is looking absolutely demonic. Keep Ray Wise. He does that better.
With fast-forward I would require that the executives watch each program. As viewer’s know, it won’t take long (without the ads) for those at the top to gain better insight into content and continuity.
Can’t close without extending my respect for the complexity of producing a program such as a daily Soap and praise for the very accomplished actors who give us entertainment five days a week. I am thankful for a fun escape at the end of the day.
Please keep Dr. Neville and Ray Wise!
Best Wishes!
I really do not know how I could have phrased my words ‘ surprising twists’ any differently. My definition would be a plot-line which makes one go “Hmmm! I did not see that coming!”. A scene which ‘strays’ from the norm….the unexpected. Thst is a surprising twist
. That is what it’s supposed to mean.
“A radical change in the expected direction or outcome of the plot of a novel, film or TV series etc.”
It is basic writing 101, Tani.
My point was supposed to have been: we do not see this any longer on soaps, as we did in the past….few and far between.
You have completely missed my point.
I hope that helps.
Thanks Celia. I was in praise of your comments. My use of “surprising twists” was referencing the introduction before the comments. Sorry if it inferred a negative take on your writing which was never intended. I will be more careful when using one’s name.
@Tani.
Hey, Tani,
No offense taken, Tani. I just assumed I did not make myself clear. I misread, perhaps?
But, I think the bottom line is: we both agree that there are no ‘surprising twists’ to be had anymore. Every plot-line is expected. The viewer is aware of the outcome. Peace.
I am all for something new in daytime. The last time daytime truly looked outside its own gene pool for talent was Hogan Sheffer at As the World Turns….and that paid off in ratings, critical acclaim, industry buzz, and Emmy glory. And I know I am in the minority here…but I was not a big fan of Y and R under Bill Bell. It was often mind numbingly boring…and when it wasnt, it was complete Chuck Pratt style schlock and awe!! David Kimble having KILLER carved into his forehead. Sheila’s impossible reign of terror. Brad’s ex wife keeping him in a cage. Trashy Marge being able to impersonate Katherine. Victor holding his ex wifes lover in a dungeon. The list goes on. And on. People have this romanticized version of the show under Bell, and its just not true. The show was not character driven under Bell….it was all about the plot. Often, it felt like he had no long term plan whatsoever, like he was making it up as he went along, seeing how long he could drag out a plot. He told very few umbrella stories. Years would go by and certain sections of the show were completely removed from other parts…it often felt like two different shows. I am not denying or minimizing his legacy contribution to soaps….he was a pioneer. But a pioneer 50 years ago is not what it is today. I hope Mal can bring some of the more realistic elements that appear in British soaps. Normal people in extraordinary circumstances. Because this last week…featueing 80 year old Victor involved in a hostage crisis and gunplay with a completely pointless villain…..just rings so false. Age appropriate stories are so refreshing and entertaining…and soap writers havent a clue about how to tell them! They think every womn, whether age 17 or 58, is desperate for a baby. And think every man has to be a mobster or a criminal. Lets get some writers in here who can write entertaining stories for entertining chracters! I nominate Marc Cherry of Desperate Housewives. He could tell awesome stories without hving couples divorce and remarry 17 times. His stories zigged when you thought they would zag. Humour was paramount. Villains usually got their comeuppance by the end of the season and it was onto the next storyline.
I think Days needs changes and all kinds of fixing more than Y&R does right now. Why couldn’t Sony/Corday prod. hire him for Days? Too expensive for that show lol?
If I want to see great epis, I watch Youtube from Bell/Alden writing era. A-list cast? Nope. Have some mediocre actors on now. Jess Walton is great but don’t see her much,
I want Victor out of prison; Chelsea to stop nagging Adam; Luca gone ; Gloria and Jeffrey back; Ray Wise and Neville to stay ; the Winters to become closer and any other excitement .
I am an english soap viewer and I saw on Mal Young’s twitter, a photo of the indoor set that is supposed to be an exterior (I think it is a garden) and he had put a caption saying, ‘a lovely time for a stroll’. It got me thinking about how he Produced a soap in England called Brookside that literally changed the way soaps were made. Although he was not responsible for this change, what the creator of the show did was buy a real housing estate and the series was shot there. When the characters went anywhere, the action was filmed in real locations. Although many of the shows are still shot in studios (the interiors of Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale), the exterior filming is always outside on sets or on real streets etc… and I wondered if Young may decide to film in the studio the interiors but find actual outside places to film the exteriors. I am not being disrespectful to American soaps but I have seen the interiors of exterior sets on Days and I think it spoils the programme as they are obviously inside sets
To solve most of the problems is a very simple thing. Eric Braeden/Victor Newman needs to be gone from the show forever. The show can’t keep pretending that a man in his mid seventies is a stud, leading man, dangerous dude who can beat up men in their twenties or thirties, have every high official in his pocket, kidnap, replace other characters with lookalikes causing murder, rape and hundreds of other illegal and vile things to happen. Then after all this he goes to prison but still manage to repeat all of those things behind bars and is still in control or everyone and everything.
Viewers are not fools. Victor Newman’s fans are many but there are one hundred time more who hate the character and would glory in him being gone from the show. No one is indispensable. The actor does not memorize his lines or he just does not remember his lines or he thinks he’s above learning his lines. I can remember a very recent episode where Braeden said Judge Carter three times in one scene when he should have been saying Judge Gates.
There is also a big problem with sets. Where are all the sets of character homes and offices? Everyone seem to live at the GCAC and hold business meetings there or at Crimson Lights in full public view and hearing. Come on people do better than this.
New characters are needed so that every relationship in Genoa City is not bordering on incest. Every female on the show has had sex with every male character. Enough! Get new people, get a writing team that can actually write fresh and new storylines. Keep the new characters. Don’t write them into a corner then get rid of them.
So much more I could say. I have watched Y&R since the very first episode in 1973. Older fans matter, not just the 18 -49 women that Y&R seem to cater to these days. Go back to the way Bill Bell used to write.
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.
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.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
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