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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
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!
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.
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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